Hijack Crew Saved.

[Jim Brady]

A group of 22 sailors held and tortured by Somali pirates for nearly 3 years has been frred after 2 weeks of fighting.Elite troops moved into finally recapture the MV Iceberg 1 near the coastal villlage of Gara'ad after it was seized in March 2010.The Panamania flagged ship originally had 24 on board but 2 died.The rest are now recovering from their ordeal.Authorities in Somalias Puntland region said."After 2 years and 9 months the hostages have suffered signs of torture and illness.They are now receiving medical care."
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Tony Wilding]

What a great Christmas present for them, lets hope soon all are released.

[John Pruden]

very good news pity the hundreds that are still captive can't be saved yet its about time a land based rescue could not come in place will there ever be an end to the piracy out there its been going on for many years.jp

[Paul Racine]

I am really having a hard time getting my head around can be done about Somali piracy.There is no question in my mind that as a failed state with no viable infrastructure the chances of the Somalis taking charge and cleaning out pirate lairs and ending the attacks is a lost cause. Also the freeing of any hostages remaining ashore or on anchored up ships by the Somalis seems very unlikely. However I did read that the 22 were rescued by something called the Puntland Maritime Police Force. I wonder who and what they are. Perhaps a sign of something being organized by the Somali's themselves. Somehow it seems to good to be true.
Then we have all kinds of foreign navies patrolling the seas and reeling in culprits from time to time.Most often the pirates are only disarmed then put back on their skiffs and sent back on their merry way.........What a joke..........And can anyone expect any of these international forces to mount an attack ashore to free hostages. There would be such an international hue and cry by the bleeding hearts of the world that whoever did it would be in the courts for years to come.
Anyway....... I have read that attacks over the last year are significantly down.I wonder why? I guess its a combination of many factors such as good naval patrolling and better ship security.
I recently saw a u tube video of armed security guards stationed on a cargo ship blasting a couple of skiffs that were attempting a hi jack.Believe me these pirates had a very bad day.
It seems to me that this is the best way to deal with this scum. If they can't get aboard then they can't take hostages.In the meantime lets hope that the Puntland Maritime Police force gets some new recruits and does some more good deeds.