Libetad Argentine Tall Ship Seized.

[leratty]

I read with some surprise in Financial Times last Saturday that a NY Hedge Fund boss, a Paul Singer had somehow via the law been able to have the beautiful Argentine tall ship Libetad seized in Ghana for Argentina defaulting, or was it deliberately not paying its sovereign debt? Irony of the Ghana legal system agreeing with the vessels seizure makes it even more woeful.

I do not actually know if this character or his hedge fund are actually owed money by Argentina, doubt it though maybe he invested his hedge funds, funds in Argentine debt. If so silly boy he deserves it just like those who did into Greece.

Who know maybe some 3rd world governments can now seize US ships, planes etc until they, the US government pays its enormous debt (unpaid dues) to the United Nations. Na will never happen, nice thought though. Can just imagine where this sort of action could lead? Looks like 'vexatious litigation' to me, or more simply bloody stupid but he has pulled it off so who is the fool?

[Samlander]

Paul Singer (businessman) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

plus other hits if you Google his name. One of them regards him a pirate.

[happy daze john in oz]

Speaking with my financial advisor about this guy and the manner in which he runs the fund he could well be called a pirate.

[Robin Ellis]

I am happy to say that La Fragata (Q-2) ARA Libertad has now been released and is on its way back to Argentina.

Not sure if anyone knows, but the Libertad was crewed by naval officers just about to complete their cadetship. It is traditional here that they do a voyage on the frigate (learning to sail and clean decks too) and then come home to their passing out ceremony.

I was very fortunate to be on the Libertad when she called into Boulogne Sur Mere in 2007.

There are 3 photos here of her, and if you want to see more they can be found in 1 of the albums on Facebook - search for Robin Miniatures - that's my page. There is a picture of her bridge and the engineroom too on my Facebook page!

We also have a family attachment to this sailing ship as my wife's cousin was the second in command of the Libertad at one time.

libertad 016.jpglibertad 049.jpglibertad 062.jpg

Robin

[Ian Walker]

Robin,
what a coincidence my wifes cousin also sailed on the Libertad and when she visited the Mersey we went on board to meet him, we used the crew gangway the public one had a queue for miles and we were piped aboard. We were treated like Royalty, after lunch aboard in the P.Os mess we showed himand a couple of his mates the sights of Liverpool (as you may know the Argentinians are massive fans of the Beatles) after this we ended up in a pub in Birkenhead were the ship was berthed and my party piece was to sing Ceiolito Lindo, ( very badly) the guy standing next to me was the Bosun a huge hard looking man he soon took over and had all the crew singing along, what a great end to a great day.
A few years later whilst visiting BA I met one of his other brothers who was a bosun in the merch and had docked in Liverpool, the first question he asked me do you know the Norseman? enough said.
Ian

[Robin Ellis]

Ian,
Yes, what a coincidence! I presume your wife is Argentinean too?
The Libertad is a beautiful ship and we are both lucky to have been able to have visited her.
Times have changed a bit now, Argentineans are now fanatic supporters of Queen!
Unfortunately, with the current government, who are not pro-UK, the Libertad is unlikely to visit the UK for a while.
But if anyone gets a chance, go visit her.

Robin

[Ivan Cloherty]

Ian,

Unfortunately, with the current government, who are not pro-UK, the Libertad is unlikely to visit the UK for a while.
But if anyone gets a chance, go visit her.

Robin

Why cannot politicians be like seamen, no matter the nationality we seem to get on, even if we have had national hostilities in the past, it must be because we have all faced a common danger. They could learn a lot from our banter and messroom discussions, even though we don't see eye to eye at times

[Ian Walker]

Hi Robin,

Yes, my wife is Argentinean, she was born In a town called Cafayate ( known for it's wines) but lived in San Carlos both in the province of Salta, been here 40 odd years now. I wanted to move to Argentina some years back, but unfortunately my wife was totally against it, she was worried that the Junta could come back.

Ian

[Bill Bland]

Why cannot politicians be like seamen, no matter the nationality we seem to get on, even if we have had national hostilities in the past, it must be because we have all faced a common danger. They could learn a lot from our banter and messroom discussions, even though we don't see eye to eye at times

how true. i thjnk our attitude was live and let live nomatter where one came from.