Pirates

Colleges and Universities A-Z Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point
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<p>TV stars at KP :smiley: :smiley: :D</p>

<p>Here is a link to the show. Not sure if they will post the vid or not, but here ya go</p>

<p>[Inside</a> Edition - News](<a href=“http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyID=2832]Inside”>http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyID=2832)</p>

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<p>Not trying to send a scare, but the US flagged ship that was attacked today (Liberty Sun) apparently had KP cadet(s) onboard. Things look OK now…</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/14/somalia.pirates/index.html[/url]”>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/14/somalia.pirates/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I was on the Liberty Sun first sea year</p>

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<p>The Cargo Letter World Exclusive -“206 Year DejaVu”</p>

<p>Here is the rest of the story you won’t read in the press – not yet – until this article is circulated.
The first American warship to the rescue of MV Maersk Alabama was USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) which arrived on scene at approximately 10pm Eastern time on April 9 2009.</p>

<p>That last American-flagged vessel to be captured by pirates was the USS Philadelphia, when she ran aground off Tripoli on 31 October 1803 and was captured by the Tripoli pirates.</p>

<p>The captain of USS Philadelphia – who was the last U.S. captain to lose his vessel to pirates was Captain William Bainbridge – namesake of the current USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) – the first warship now to the rescue of MV Maersk Alabama off Somalia.</p>

<p>What amazing irony – as the spirit – or ghost of Commodore William Bainbridge, USN now rises up – again – to take his vengence on the pirates after 206 years. Indeed, you can’t make this stuff up!</p>

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<p>M/V ALABAMA</p>

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<p>I wanted to let you know some of the lessons we learned so you guys can better prepare yourselves for something similar. The only guys actually captured by the pirates were on the bridge: Capt, 3/M, and 2 AB’s. I don’t really know why they stayed on the bridge until the pirates got up there. Then they had keys to everything and were able to unlock everyone’s rooms. The pirates got up to the bridge very quickly. Once they were onboard. We had a locked cage door over the ladder well from main deck, but it only took a second for them to shoot it off. They then got to the bridge up the outside ladders. By that time we had taken control of the engine and steering down below. Mike stayed in the ECR and the C/M was out on deck tracking the pirates’ movement. We kept swinging the rudder side to side. The pirates’ boat capsized, though I’m not sure exactly when or what caused it. After about 20 minutes the engine was killed, I don’t know by whom. At that point I shut off the air bottles and Mike killed power. He was also able to get outside and trip the fuel shutoff for the EDG.</p>

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<p>^^^That’s great info Chief! Thanks for sharing… Any word on when Matson may be breaking your ship out of lay-up?</p>

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<p>ABC 20-20 on Kings Pointer today filming pirate boarding and evading. Supposed to be on Friday.</p>

<p>deepdraft1 - I retired in December. Haven’t heard about breakout anytime soon for Matsonia. Sad, sad, sad.</p>

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<p>If you go to this link they have a preview in the top left corner.</p>

<p>[Watch</a> ‘20/20’ Friday Nights at 10 p.m. - ABC News](<a href=“http://abcnews.go.com/2020]Watch”>20/20 | Investigative Journalism & News Magazine - ABC News)</p>

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<p>

Man, you beat me to it…
With the pension plan problems MM&P is looking at (we went from $825M to $376M in a little over a years time) this is DEFINATELY it for me… Our plan is still in the “green” for this year, but it will fall into the “red” next year. So I got to get that partial “lump sum” buy out while I still can… I think the MATSONIA and LURLINE are layed-up probably for good… Sad indeed… Not many of the old “steamboats” left. :(</p>

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<p>More about KP training</p>

<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/international/090416_Training_for_Pirate_Attacks]090416_Training_for_Pirate_Attacks[/url”>FOX 5 New York]090416_Training_for_Pirate_Attacks[/url</a>]</p>

<p>Thanks to Suzannegra for this good find.</p>

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<p>i just passed through the pirate controlled waters a few days ago and i will say that tensions are high. the ship i’m on (APL President Jackson) was on total lockdown with whatever means of protection we could find on the ship.
we had a few pirate boats (from what i was told from the deck department) that were closeby and starting in our direction, but lo and behold, the US Navy had a Destroyer right over the horizon and they dispatched a few helicopters to check it out. when the small boats saw the choppers they high tailed it out of there.
statistically they target smaller, slower ships that are very low to the water. we’re doing what we can to keep safe out here and i’m sure its the same for all ships. :)</p>

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<p>Thank goodness for the US Navy. They don’t get much press for being everyday heroes to those of you sailing in that area.</p>

<p>May the good Lord keep you safe on the rest of your voyage! :)</p>

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<p><a href=“http://blog.usni.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/the-us-navy.jpg[/url]”>http://blog.usni.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/the-us-navy.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>That’s great JRH! Love it!!!</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the info. As we wait for our DD to get her next sea assignment we have been watching the antics of these modern-day pirates with alternating terror and relief. Has anyone heard anything from the admin at KP regarding what these cadets are facing? Any proposed changes to where they are sending cadets?</p>

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<p>I’m am quite sure that KP will not change their practices because of the Pirates. Remember, KP has sent Cadets into every war fought since WWII and is the only Academy that can carry the Battle Standard because of this–I believe that 60% (or more) of the worlds shipping passes through pirate infested waters, so it would most likely be impossible to change even if they wanted to. </p>

<p>Our kids are trained at KP. If you watch last Friday’s 20/20 it was about anti-piracy and was filmed at KP. there is a link on this thread.</p>

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<p>I understand. Thanks.</p>

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<p>I see on occasion initials being used such as (we are waiting for our (DD/DS) to get there next sea assignment) etc. What do these initials stand for and if there are other initials that are used frequently can someone please explain them?</p>

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<p>dear son/dear daughter.</p>

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<p>Oliver can think of at least 142 reasons why they won’t.</p>