Pirate Fact file

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Written by Administrator Monday, 31 May 2010 22:09

webcomics - Pirates of Somalia

It is a synthesis of information found on other blogs and news sites. Any errors are entirely my own.

Ship Capture

The pirates have fast small boats that can easily catch a large shipping vessel.

Tankers and freighters were thought immune due to their size but have proved to be rather soft targets when full. They are slow, difficult to manoeuvre and are low to the water. Plus the crews are not that large for something that can be 1/2 Km in length. Keeping an eye out in all directions is nearly impossible.

The pirates use automatic rifles (probably Klashnikovs) and antitank missile grenade launchers. It is supposed that they also use GPS/sat navs, mobile phones and possibly even radar devices to locate ships and co-ordinate attacks.

Q)How many pirates normally board a ship? 6-10 usuall via 2 or 3 speed boats. First man to step on deck gets a bonus due to being vulnerable and exposing themselves to the risk.

The Ransom

When a ship is captured, the crew will look for the relevant documents on the bridge or in the Captains quarters to find out who to contact for negotiation.

The negotiations will start high and come down in price.

They will steer the ship closer to Somali waters, usually near Eyl which is creating an industry in supplying the infrastructure for the pirates.

All ship alerts are handled by one agency and lawyers in London will be brought in to help settle a ransom. The company that owns the ship will be covered by insurance which is why a ransom is paid.

When a deal is settled the money is delivered by boat, air drop and possibly by the hawala system.

Hawala system of money lending and transfer based on the Muslim faith. It is based on a network of trust between a number of individuals. Man A in one country gives a hawala broker money to send to his family who are in another country. The broker will have business connections with other hawala brokers in the relevant country. He will send details of the money and who to pay to this other broker. Man A gets no receipt and trusts his money will reach his family. No money has actually been sent however, the brokers keep tabs on how much they owe each other and settle later or during the course of their on going business.

American Dollars are usually requested for the payment and always in used currency, not fresh minted. The pirates count the money on board and check for any signs of marking.

When the money is dropped or delivered on ship a tense period in the hijacking takes place. All the parties that have supplied the ship during the hostage and negotiation period will be on deck to collect their payment. Prices are hiked and fights break out over the money. The Pirates in charge will let everyone sort themselves out but keep a close eye on everything.

They will then take their own cut and leave the Ship as agreed, perhaps in the cover of night.

Hostage Details

The pirates have deliveries of food while on board a captured vessel. They eat a lot of Goat which they ship alive and slaughter on deck. They will also chew the stimulant khat.

Pirates may demand strange items from the crew as soon as they board, one party claims they asked for some footwear as they were barefoot and didn't want to hurt their feet on the mettle boat.

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