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Google Map To Real Piracy

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the not-the-pretend-kind dept.

An anonymous reader noted that you can now see a Google Map of piracy. Not the pretend kind, the real kind with boats and stuff. Considering how much time we spend talking about the other kind, I think it's worth paying attention to the real problems out there.

3 of 262 comments (clear)

  1. Time for Qs to come back by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    From what I've been hearing, it sounds like the biggest problem in defending against the Solmalian surge in piracy is that the pirates know where the US ships are and avoid them. They've taken to attacking farther and farther out from the coast, often impacting new shipping lanes when displaced by US warships.

    Maybe I've been reading too much fiction, but am I the only one thinking: Q Ship?

    1. Lure pirate in with tasty looking merchie.

    2. Wait until pirate is within range and intentions are clear.

    3. Throw the covers off the guns and blast them into next year.

    4. ???

    5. Profit!!!

    (Well, the merchies do anyway.)

    --
    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
    1. Re:Time for Qs to come back by nbert · · Score: 5, Interesting

      One thing I'd like to add: There are not enough military ships in the world to really control the affected area. More ships result in higher safety, but as long as cargo and tourist ships pass the area unguarded the pirates still have a chance.

      In my opinion any real solution has to change something within Somali territory. It's not like the pirates can switch to safer jobs on land when the international efforts become unpleasant.

      --
      I don't read replies by ACs.
  2. Convoys by zentinal · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Does anyone know why, given the huge area and the number of ships to protect, merchant ships in the area aren't being organized into convoys with military escort through those waters?

    Wouldn't that strategy work at least as well as it did in WWII?

    I don't think the pirates have submarines or aircraft... yet.