pirate news and other sea-going matters
Let’s start with my favorite band of eco-pirates:
Sea Shepherd anti-whaling activists investigated
The Japanese government has labelled Sea Shepherd a “terrorist organisation” and issued arrest warrants for Daniel Bebawi, 28, from Nottingham, and two American activists.
According to authorities in Japan, the three used a rope to damage the propeller of the Kaiko Maru in February last year and threw a smoke bomb onto the deck of the vessel, which Japan describes as a research whaling ship.
The coastal region of Puntland is booming.
Fancy houses are being built, expensive cars are being bought – all of this in a country that has not had a functioning central government for nearly 20 years.
Observers say pirates made about $30m from ransom payments last year – far more than the annual budget of Puntland, which is about $20m.
Somali Pirates Issue Warning to Europeans
In a telephone interview with VOA, a man identified as the spokesman of the pirate group based in the northern Puntland town of Eyl says the group wants the European Union to pressure France to release the six pirates immediately.
The spokesman, who calls himself Bileh, says if other European Union nations refuse to negotiate the release of his compatriots, his group will begin targeting all Europeans. He says every European hostage would be beheaded.
Greek ship with 25 crew hijacked near Somalia
17 Filipinos on latest vessel seized off Somalia–DFA
Somali Pirates Changing Tactics
Yemen coast guard forms unit to police pirates
Military can’t guarantee safety off Somalia: US Navy
Somalia: The Somali regime is epicenter of sea piracy
And finally, this isn’t about pirates, but there are smugglers and high-speed chases at sea. Not to mention better pictures than the pirate stories ever have.
Pics: High-Tech ‘Batman’ Ship in Florida Drug Raid
Oh, wait. As long as we’re including all manner of naval derring-do, don’t forget the Tamil Tigers. They’re the only guerrilla force I know of that has a regular navy.
Sri Lanka navy battles Tamil Tigers
