Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Somali Pirates Seize 3 More Ships

High-profile hostage rescues fail to prevent fresh hijackings

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 14, 2009 5:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – Somali pirates have seized another three ships in the Gulf of Aden, the AP reports. Two Egyptian fishing boats were hijacked yesterday and a Greek-owned freighter with at least 20 crew on board was seized before dawn today by pirates evidently undeterred by the recent standoff with the US Navy. The freighter reported a suspicious vessel but received no response on emergency channels, according to a security contractor.

The nighttime attack on the freighter shows that the pirates are acquiring more advanced technology with the spoils of earlier hijackings, analysts said. President Obama vowed to "halt the rise of piracy" at a news conference yesterday. Military officials say options on the table include sending more US Navy gunships to patrol Somalia's coast and taking steps to disable pirate "mother ships."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

The guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge patrols off the coast of Somalia while conducting anti-piracy operations. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class Vincent J. Street)

Pirates leave Ukrainian merchant vessel MV Faina for Somalia's shore in this October 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky)

In this undated photo released by the French Defense Ministry on Saturday, April 11, 2009, armed pirates and their hostages are seen aboard the French yacht "Tanit", off the coast of Somalia. (AP Photo/ECPAD-French Defense Ministry)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

I want to be very clear that we are resolved to halt the rise of piracy in that region and to achieve that goal, we're going to have to continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks. - President Obama

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Somali Pirates Free Danish Family

Three children were among those held hostage

(NEWSER) - The Danish family held hostage by Somali pirates since February has been released and is safe. Jan Quist Johansen, his wife, their three children between the ages of 12 and 16, and two adult crew members are in “relatively good condition,” according to Denmark’s foreign ministry and the BBC , and will return home soon. Soldiers from the Puntland State of Somalia were killed in March in a failed rescue attempt, and a $3 million ransom was ultimately paid for the family’s release. More»

Pirate Hostages Plead for Help in YouTube Video

Danes, Filipinos urge ship's owner to secure their freedom

(NEWSER) - A shipping industry group has released a harrowing video of Danish and Filipino seamen being held hostage by Somali pirates. The men, who were seized when pirates hijacked a Danish cargo ship in January, plead for their freedom in the video, which Save Our Seafarers says it uploaded to YouTube to raise awareness of the human cost of piracy, the AP reports. More»

Lousy Weather Forecasts May Be Pirates' Fault

Scientists can't collect ocean data, ask US, Australia for help

(NEWSER) - Scientists have asked the American and Australian navies to help them deploy robots in a vast area of the Indian Ocean that pirates have made too dangerous for ordinary vessels. Deep-ocean robotic buoys play a vital role in climate change studies and weather forecasts, but researchers say pirate activity has left them with a huge blind spot, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. More»

Somali Pirates Out of Space for Captured Ships

They're starting to accept lower ransoms because they've got too many

(NEWSER) - Good news/bad news time, shipping industry. The good news: Somali pirates are starting to accept lower ransoms for ships! Bad news: It’s because they’ve captured so many they’re running out of places to put the dang things. The ports at Haradheere, Eyl, and Hobyo are jam-packed with ill-gotten vessels, security experts tell Der Spiegel , and the scoundrels are making deals a lot faster as a result. More»

Danish Hostages Taken to Somali Coast

Pirates will now begin trying to get a ransom

(NEWSER) - A Danish family whose yacht was hijacked by pirates is now being held along the coast of Somalia, the AP reports. Jan Quist Johansen, his wife, their three teenage children, and two crew members now likely face a lengthy ransom process. They've been moved either to land or to a heavily guarded pirate ship, but reportedly have not been harmed. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Somali Pirates Seize 3 More Ships