Dusk is falling in the Gulf of Aden; the sea is oily flat, and the day's heat still beats upward from the deck. The big freighter's small crew, perhaps Indian and Filipino with a few European officers, are nervous. Jumpy. They have every reason to be.
Suddenly the roaring of outboard engines is all around them. They run for the fire-hoses to repel boarders, but freeze as they are covered by AK47 rifles. Within minutes the ship is a hostage, steering for a lawless harbour. All they can do is hope that their owner pays up; for once again, Western commerce and international seafaring have been humiliated by a ragtag navy of Somali pirates. It happens weekly. The last one was a Greek chemical tanker on Friday: the predators threaten to blow it up unless they get their money.
Who is to stop them? Somalia, the world's most neglected tragedy, has been ungoverned for years. The UN Security Council is “drafting a resolution” and the EU is cautiouslly setting up a “Mission” against piracy that will - we heard only yesterday - have its headquarters aboard the British frigate HMS Northumberland, which, after years of pathetic indecision, the Ministry of Defence has finally agreed to deploy.
International action against this growing pest and danger has been remarkably feeble. The French, rightly losing patience, at least carried out two commando rescue raids. Most nations just pay up. As for us, the Royal Navy that once cleared the seas of pirates (and before that, of slave ships) has until this meagre deployment been made powerless.
Not long ago officers were explicitly advised not to capture Somali pirates in case they claim asylum, nor to send them home in case their crazy fatherland violated their human rights. Brows were furrowed in leisurely debate over whether gangsterism is technically piracy when it takes place in Somali territorial waters. But all this grows academic, since the Royal Navy has been cut savagely in recent years anyway, and is currently crippled by supplying half the manpower and airpower for landlocked Afghanistan.
The situation could become as urgent as any banking crisis. For all the ignorant sea-blindness of this island nation, the cold fact is that without sea trade we would have little food, fuel, or goods. The Gulf of Aden is a vital pinch-point in sea routes from the East, and a scan of the world's maritime media from India to Argentina confirms that pirate attacks have doubled in a year: 67 so far. The marauders are ever better equipped - radios, speedboats, rocket-propelled grenades. Vast ransoms are paid, and the pirates are sophisticated enough to know insurance values. Of the 26 ships successfully hijacked this year 11 (and 200 crew ) are currently held. One is the Faina, a Ukrainian freighter loaded with Russian heavy weaponry. The marauders' managers are said to have links to fundamentalist movements. As the Americans say, go figure: once al-Qaeda notices that you can cripple the West by disrupting the sea routes, a lot could happen fast. About 22,000 shipping movements pass Somalia every year, including tankers bearing 4 per cent of the world's oil needs. Even a fractional disruption would hit prices, supplies and global stability.
Until two days ago the UK was uniformly feeble in its response. A Foreign Office spokesman has bleated: “There are issues about human rights... the main thing is to ensure any incident is resolved peacefully.” Tell that to a gangster with an AK-47 and a headful of khat. The senior British RN commander in the Gulf, Keith Winstanley, suggests rather desperately that merchant ships should carry armed mercenaries and mounted machineguns to defend themselves.
Insurance companies respond in the only way they know, which is to ramp up premiums. What has finally spooked our Government into its small gesture now is that some shipowners, ever pragmatic, have simply opted to go the long way round via Cape Town. An extra 6,853 miles each way by my reckoning: work out what that'll do to prices and the environment.
Well, things are stirring. Russia has said it will co-operate. Some US warships are being diverted. We have, after majestic delays, sent one ship. But it is not a robust response yet, not one to convince sea jackals that the game is not worth it. The feebleness has been breathtaking: three years ago the Ministry of Defence said the UK “vigorously opposes acts of piracy” but would not divulge its intentions “due to security concerns”. When the International Maritime Bureau made a direct request for RN intervention, a promise was uttered that “if” there were warships in the area they would “help to deal with the problem”. Two full years later, when HMS Campbeltown was in the Gulf, the Ministry said evasively: “We are aware of piracy issues... but we have to take a long-term view on our resources” adding that it had “strategic decisions” to make.
Indeed it does. Our force of destroyers and frigates has - in ten years - shrunk from 35 to 22 despite promises that it would not slip below 25. The number of smaller vessels, minehunters, decreases annually (they could be handy in this work). We mothball ships or flog them to Estonia; the navy budget faces cuts of 20 per cent over ten years. Its air cover is crippled, with one lot of planes gone and the next not ready.
I do not denigrate the Royal Navy: far from it. Senior officers are itching to deal with the dangerously underrated problem of Somali waters. Deterrence, they say, would not be too difficult with trained crews, fast ships and a clear mandate. But what the wet-lettuce attitude of government demonstrates is that naval power - one of the most useful, flexible, historically successful and often peaceable arms of the State - continues to be run down with cavalier disregard for our total dependence on sea trade.
Even if the UN and Europe cobble up a solution to this crisis, that problem of British naval erosion will not quickly go away.
One of the worries that keep Admirals awake is that the smaller the Navy grows, the more humiliated and sidelined, the more training and tradition suffer. Government may secretly nurse some half-baked idea that mothballed ships are like Green Goddess fire engines, easy to haul out in an emergency. But if the Royal Navy goes on shrinking and being raided for manpower in Afghanistan, there won't be anyone fit to man them. Something precious will be lost, and our islands lie more open to blackmail and danger than at any time since Henry VIII.
Like most of us I have a sentimental attached to the RN, but do we really need much of one these days? Destroyers are not much use in Afghanistan or Iraq, or indeed Kosovo before it. The RN never patrolled the streets of Belfast. Sadly maybe but aren't the army and air force now far more important?
Alan, Valencia, Spain
To arm the merchant ships is not the answer. As all that will happen is that the pirates will shoot first and steal later. If they attack an unarmed merchant vessel then people will be killed for no reason.
If the navy are worried about asylum seekers dead pirates cannot ask for asylum!
Derek Richards, Brough, East Yorkshire
Why have the UK Govt not sent detachments of Royal Marines onboard British ships to repel attacks around the Gulf?
If that capability is not available any shipping company could hire one of the huge number of private security companies and have ex SBS or Royal Marines do the same.
JB, Seef, Bahrain
"the Royal Navy that once cleared the seas of pirates". Haha, this is the best one I've read in a very long time. Ask Spain.
Fabio C, London, UK
Asking whether RN could fight another Falklands is irrelevant and ignores (i) the Falklands are now properly defended at far less cost than a large navy; 1982 was during the cold war when RN had huge NATO commitments; and technology means RN's forward projection capability is higher today.
andrew, bristol, uk
God, liberals really have made everything impotent. Can't arrest them, human rights abuses, can't this & that & this because some human rights bloody pauper will cry croc tears from a glass eye! Arrest them, punish them, make an example. VIVE LE FRANCE & SARKOZY! he had some balls at least!!
lionel luthor, NYork ,
The last tory government was letting the Royal Navy fall to pieces but then the Falklands were invaded.
Within two weeks a taskforce protected by the RN set off for the Falklands some 8,000 miles away. We couldn't do that now.
Anyway the enemy isn't at the gates, its inside & claims benefits.
Graham, St. Albans, uk
It appears to me that we live in 'interesting times'. This 'Credit Crunch' and reports of lawlessness should prove to be a great test of the EU's mettle. Its time for all spending to be reviewed, EU premiums included, so our priorities can be set straight. Piracy shouldn't be left to Britain alone.
Trudi, Worcester, England
Britain and th Dominions need to stop being worried about what the world thinks of the Empire past and get on with addressing the world's problems rather than apologising for having achieved something that everyone else wanted. Lets start leading in th right direction rather than following th wrong
Grant, Hobart, Australia
SYMBOLIC. Just received Christmas gift catalogue from National Maritime Museum. Too much gazing at the stars, Childrens toys, where has the fighting Navy gone? Pirates? George Chambers showed what to do with pirates.
Gut Liam, Hertford, England
I thought the RN was due to get two new aircraft carriers in the next five years?
John, Paraparaumu, New Zealand
Oh please, rule the waves again, Britannia! Seriously, this
Yank would love to see just that!
Judy Shimkus, St Louis, MO, USA
The priority if you are worried about oil supplies Libby is to campaign to lower your island's dependency on oil. Insulate your lofts, cavities, walls, double-glaze, put solar thermal on your roofs and air-heat pumps on your walls, it'll be good for wallets, for self-sufficiency and for the climate.
Esther Phillips, Leatherhead,
Until 1997 piracy was still a capital crime, then in came the HR brigade. Now we can't even arrest them because despite being cut throat killers the poor pirates might be properly punished for crimes in their own country. We don't have fighting ships only empty vessels, and not many of them either!
R Morgon, Fareham, Hants
Blow them out of the water. I bet you the problem will be taken care off witin the month.
ian cheese, london, uk
What should be done is to disguise a few heavily armed naval gun boats as luxury floating gin palaces and then sail them up and down in international waters off the pirate coasts. When attacked blow the pirates out of the water and leave them for shark bait.
JohnM, Stromeferry,
I see some are trying link the piracy issue with the 'decline' of the royal navy. I know it's hard being average once you have been a great empire but that's what britain is today. We should learn to live with it.
Moreover we can't have military spending like the US and still be a social state.
andy mcpherson, Glasgow,
Peter,
'International cooperation' by itself is useless - someone has to use force at the end of the day & EU navies aren't known for their quality, skill or aggression.
We're not asking that 'Britannia rule the waves' - we are demanding a well equipped, motivated and maintained Naval force.
Hugh, London,
It is so sad that the Royal Navy upon which freedom has relied for centuries is so neglected. Winston Churchill once said something like this: The responsibility of the goverment for defense is absolute and requires no mandate. As an island nation ths UK must maintain a large, effective fleet.
James Jay Peterson, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Surely its the MOD who decides how many ships will be made and what type they will be. The Royal navy, like every other service has to do as its told by their. our, political masters.
The Royal Navy was chasing pirates in these waters centuries ago and it needs the effort of every country now
Phil de Buquet, Newport,
How many Frigates/flak vests can you buy for 20 billion sterling?
Bet they still throw monies at illegals.
Dave, Chorley,
Western Government funded 'navies' throughout the past four centuries have been pirates with a licence to enslave, rape, plunder, loot and kill on behalf of king, Queen, or President. If the world were a fairer place, there would be no need for third world piracy in 2008.
Paul, Liverpool Merseyside, UK
Little Englanders take note: Britannia does not now rule the waves and never again will do, we cannot afford it alone. Security will come from international cooperation. That starts with being a good member nation within the EU. The EU together CAN do some of these things. Alone we cannot.
Peter Donson, Southwell, Notts, UK
Defending the UK's vital interests and security? I'd far rather money was spent on raising hordes of unsocialised, unemployable illegitimates, IT fiascos, useless degree courses, identity cards, grossly inefficient PPP schemes, management consultants, illegal wars etc. Far better value, IMHO
Robert C, London, UK
If the Navy had n't mortgaged itself so heavily in pursuit of their fanciful aircraft carriers there would be more frigates around now to undertake this sort of activity. We cannot afford both for the Navy (+ equipment for the Army, + Eurofighters for the RAF, + bank bail outs) - so work it out !
Patrick Little, Devizes, UK
Well said. We must sort the navy out. Libby - Please please raise awarness of the UK National Defence Association - unless the crisis affecting the navy becomes better know in the mainstream and more electorally significant nothing will be done.
Tom Calvert, London,
One other complaint - "..half the Royal Navy"; "..crippled" ? This is a total distortion of the facts to suit a particular agenda. The deployment of Royal Marines in 3 Commando Brigade (50% Army) and some Royal Navy airpower has little bearing on how many frigates can be deployed. Money has more.
Patrick Little, Devizes, UK
1. An American flotilla briefly crushed the Barbary Corsairs in the early 19th century (a feate which earned the respect of Nelson) and united Anglo-American fleet put down the pirate threat in the Med for good in 1816 .
2. Q-ships would be a nasty surprise, wouldn't they?
Jason, Pittsburgh, USA
Hard to claim asylum if your current residence is Davy Jones' Locker.
Bill Bird, Wallasey, Great Britain
Dont send navies who are beholden to all the Human Rights stuff. Send Russians, Chinese and others from repressive regimes who will simply sink the pirates. However, the so-called developed world dhould be aware that this will simply accelerate yet faster these new powers' global domination.
Alan, London,
Gangsters? I thought they were pirates? Just wndered why they are now gangsters.
charles, london,
If pirates are captured in International waters they should be returned to their country of origin. We are explicitly advised not to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, so why are we doing so by default?
Tony Atkins, Cairns, Australia
Why are armed mercenaries and weapons mounted on the ship "desperate"? This was standard procedure for all ships in the Mediteranean and Carribean during the piracy era in the 18th century.
Jim Connors, Durham,
Give the ships bazookas and train them how to use them - the next time it happens, they can just blow the pirates out of the water.
Barry, Shevington, UK
Pirates don't have human rights. And if their harbour is "lawless" then lets go in and sort it out. This government seem set on destroying the Navy at a time when ships are needed to deal with pirates and drug smugglers
phil, stirling,
Politicians are notoriously stupid and greedy people, all around the world. They do not care a straw for the lives of those victimised by piracy nor the fate of your beautiful country.
Just machine gun the pirates and that´s over.
Lacking real men to do it, should we call the Russians?
David T. Castro, São Paulo, Brasil
The RN needs serious attention - it needs cash & a return to some long understood basics (other than those based on PR and Human Rights).
Let's be honest - the last ten yrs have not been good ones for the RN. And unless action is taken soon we may not be able to save the rump that remains.
Mark, Berkhamsted,
I love how David from Brill makes a point of stating the Naby needs air cover but then makes a point of why are we building 2 aircraft carriers!!
Garry, London,
Totally agree. Erode the Navy at our peril. New carriers will help but still need other ships to protect them. Is there a strategy? Is it funded?
Review and reform of the MoD overdue.
Issues with ECHR again! What about the human rights of the merchant seamen?
Drew, Glasgow, UK
Don't worry. We are sorting out the mess for you Brits although we are having some legal problems.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39741
http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/danish-navy-releases-10-somali-pirates/20017574257.htm
Soren, London,
Good article and it hits the spot. Only problem is the MoD is already preparing the next round of cuts to pay for the bail out of the banks, then again no one in HMG understands the need for defence , they only understand (suck up to) bankers and lawyers.
Simon, Oxon,
Will all those British be willing to PAY MORE TAXES, or, reduce spending on health etc to fund the RN?
No, didn't think so.
You CANNOT have Swedish standard social security on American tax levels. Nor can you have a decent RN without American defence spending levels.
Wise up Britain!
Rod, Canada,
Things might be looking up. The port of Plymouth was closed on Saturday for an hour or so while HMS Vigilance sorted herself out. Send her round to the Gulf - the pirates wouldn't even know what hit them!
But piracy is rife throughout the world now - we hear about the Gulf because of trade routes
Diane, South Brent,
It is incredible when innocent people's lives are at risk because of the fear of infringing the rights of murderers. It is very simple. Can't keep them prisoner and can't send them back. Hang them!! Nonsense HR legislation worst thing to come out of Europe since rabies or the Armada
Tom, London,
Can't argue with that.
Tell them to get on with it, then.
Rhys Jaggar, Leeds, UK
What about the two new aircraft carriers? The government has committed possibly £10bn to their building in a crazy modular scheme. It will cost more than £3mn to fill each of their oil tanks for 7 days operation. No-one will discuss this costly project that has little strategic justification.
Bernard Keeffe, London, UK
The Cambeltown was out in the gulf the later part of last year and had a major role to play in the rescue of a vessel which had been taken over by somalian pirates. If they had not of been there who knows what would of happened to that tanker.
The fact the the RN covered the story up was even worse
Charlotte Colquhoun, Plymouth, UK
Why have there been no comments on the two new aircraft carriers? They will cost up to £10 bn built in a crazy modular scheme spread across the country. It will take more than £3bn to fill one with oil for 7 days operation. What is the strategic justification for such an extravagant scheme?
Bernard Keeffe, London, UK
Just sink the pirates and be done with it.
Sean, Surrey, UK
The same Government that has so denuded the RN of its capacity to deal with piracy (while being more than happy to commit to the supreme crime of aggression in 2003), has also banned UK-registered merchant ships from carrying arms as part of ships equipment, following Dunblane.
Kill the pirates.
Ted, At sea, British (but NOT UK) ship
The first thing the international community should do is grant recognition to Somaliland - a relatively stable and prosperous part of that region of Africa and strategically significant as it is right on the Gulf Of Aden. They are keen to be friends with the west and would be a key ally in that area
Stan, Slough, England
What's so hard about dealing with this problem? Send a tanker supposedly carrying something precious that's swarming with capable armed soldiers, wait for the pirates to launch an attack and blow them to oblivion. What is the old up exactly? Even the Russians wouldn't protest!
Daquan Quartermaine, Middelburg, Netherlands
We don;t have enough ships IF we wish to keep a world presence that means anything. But frankly the average politician sees the Armed Forces as an easy budget target. Then our troops/sailors die through lack of the right kit. Choose one or the other but don't try to be worldwide on the the cheap
Tony, Cardiff,
So if we capture a pirate and put him in prison, we cannot repatriate him to Somalia? If this is actually true then, obviously, we need to change our laws. We owe absolutely nothing whatsoever to foreign criminals.
Pauline Renton, Camberley, UK
Unbelieveable, this is something my goverment has a tendency to do. The Royal Navy is supposed to rule the waves and seriously kick ass! I recommend you find the next Churchill and cut out the kindler, gentler govt. We tried that and you can see how well that worked out for us.
Romeo Pulikkathara, Houston, TX, USA
What about Sir Francis Drake? Would he think his 21st century mates have human rights? Maybe he is also spinning in his grave, but not for the same reason.
Fernando Moral, Seville, Spain
Geoff Edwards, Vancouver, Canada
This country is crippled by the PC brigade, Human Rights Act and consistent gutless governments. The people are sick and tired of the rights of minorities and criminals being given preference over the decent hard working and the wise are getting out.
Kate, Newcastle , England
Pretty much all the world military bar the US all have militaries complety inferior to the british. How anybody from either Canada or Australia can comment about our military when they have underfunded, outdated, technically inferior equipment makes me laugh! keep it in perspective!
Steve, London, UK
These ships are held in a 'lawless harbour' so why not go and get them?
A joint operation between like minded nations and a well armed assault on the whole flotilla would be much more cost effective.
Just don't let the polititians suggest trying to stabilise the area.
Fight terrorism with terrorism.
GJB, Slough, Berkshire
No warnings. Blow them out of the water. Leave survivors to drown. We do not need asylum seekers who are criminals. We have enough of those already foisted on us by the spineless governments and legal system. The liberal disease infecting Europe should also be eradicated.
David Thijm, Stourbridge, UK
You don't "negotiate" with pirates or "respect their human rights" : you blow them out of the water.
Problem solved.
How about deploying "Q-ships" as in the two world wars?
An innocent-looking freighter reveals itself as bristling with guns and destroys the pirates quick smart !
David Lewis, Slough, UK
It's time to take on the gangsters of the sea.
OR put Johnny Depp in charge
haralambos, joburg,
Just give the navy the order to blast two or three out of the water and the others would soon disappear. The wet lettuce shilly shallying approach hidebound by supposed yuman rights will never achieve anything and the idea that such pirates should be eligible to claim asylum is just plain barmy.
Alan , Reading,
This country ignores its defence at its peril. We cannot depend on corrupt Europe to protect us in our time of need. They would drop us like a hot potato at the first sign of a conflict. This government should be prosecuted for putting the British people at such risk.
Mike, Epworth, UK
"Even if the UN and Europe cobble up a solution to the problem"? I'll tell you what will be "cobbled up", "lets get America to handle it" that's what will get cobbled up and you know it.-it's just a matter of who's turn it is to do the asking.
Ed Small, Greenville, North Carolina, usa
rather than the cost of warships wouldn't it be more efficient to arm the merchant ships ?
Mike, Sole Street, England
"Mothballed ships are like Green Goddesses"
What Green Goddesses?
All gone - most of them cut up
rhys, fishguard, wales
"Geoff Edwards, Vancouver, Canada" - no we are not "spineless", just our politicians and civil servants. You pass judgement on people who are fizzing about the PC world (imported from your side of the Atlantic!) and the corruption and incompetence of the EU and its servants. Insult to injury.
PKG, Havant, Hants
what's that noise? Nelson spinning in his grave at the concept that the navy can't engage pirates in case they claim asylum or else their human rights are infringed... what also irks is that the captain has to get permission to do anything...
Paul Cooke, Gloucester,
When I served in the RN, one class of Frigates outnumbered the total number today - madness, total, absolute and irresponsible madness.
Then, Leander class, comprising twenty-six frigates - today we have 22 ships!
Cromwell, Woking, England
I remember a news story that the RN was restricting live fire excercises. Instead of firing a ship cannon (just the thing you would use against small pirate craft) ship crews were reduced to saying "ready....BANG!! over their radios during excercises.
Guess that isn't working so well....
Steve, San Jose, US
a couple of destroyers loaded with fast helicopter gunships would clean the gulf up in no time flat....once the limp-wristed cowards who are crippling the navy wake up or are sent packing. pirates HAVE NO human rights. they abrogated them when they chose the lifestyle
Ian, Brisbane,
Disingenuous argument. Fact is that the RN wants a world class blue water navy - so it builds a large amphibious fleet, large carriers, nuke boats, world class AWD (Type 45) - it's all very, very,expensive! Quality over quantity. Numbers aren't everything and you can't have your cake and eat it too
Mark, Perth, Australia
I think the idea of millionaire shipping owners paying for mercenary guards is a great one. Why should British tax payers stump up? Setting up a dozen .50 calibre machine guns on a freighter is a lot cheaper than deploying the RN. Plus, it would give some handy extra work to ex-squaddies.
Dan, Tokyo, Japan
All one ever hears about is a persons 'rights', human or otherwise. What about obligations? Pirates are part of a group in society who have abdicated their rights and should be dealt with accordingly.
Frank, Tymbaki, Greece
Thanks for bringing it out in the open Libby.
Pirates remain the scum of the earth and their vessels should be blown out of the water at every opportunity.
As a Mariner I can tell you that our own careful vigilance is the only defence we have. Fire hoses !!!
outofengland, Jomtien, Thailand
Napoleon once called you a nation of shopkeepers but even he could not imagine you would wind up as a nation of nannies. Human rights for pirates? Have Britons gone mad or just spineless? Is the national symbol a still a lion or is it now a pekinese?
Geoff Edwards, Vancouver, Canada
British naval power..remember the incident in the Persian Gulf with the Iranian navy? The Royal Navy, I believe put their hands up and refused to fight.
Putting that to one side for a moment, the situation of Somalia can not be left to the US. alone,as they have enough on their plate.
Derek McDonald, Saigon, Vietnam.
What a sorry state the RN is in. What ships we have operational go to sea with 15% of their crew numbers "gapped" to provide the manpower for HQ staffs in Afghanistan and Iraq. In the old days these manpower requirements would be taken only from shore billets, but these have been cut as well..
Toby Elliott, Monmouth, UK
Where did it say in Labour's manifesto of 1997 that year on year we will slowly dismantle the Royal Navy to a point where it will reach 'dangerous levels'. This is a national disgrace! Read the New York Post's article entitled 'Strange death of the Royal Navy'. Someone must stop Brown and New Labour
Mark Roffey, Taunton,
These "issues about human rights" need to be faced up to and dealt with sensibly.
Naturally, the human rights of everybody involved in any incident must be protected, but there should be a pecking order: regain control, exact full restitution, trial and prison, THEN human rights for perpetrators.
Rosemary, Liverpool,
Station gunboats in the area and announce that pirate ships and boats will be sunk without warning and without rescue. There would probably be no need to sink more than a couple.
Ross, Bristol,
Pirates? Human rights? Pirates do NOT have human rights - they have opted out through their disregard for the rule of law, of which human rights is part.
Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk
Politicians just don't understand how our armed forces work. The Navy has been cut to the bone, what ships we do have are held together by masking tape and the hard work . You take a ship away to do "a quick vote winner" like fighting piracy somebody else has to cover them.
Jack, Cambidge,
A wise article, and I note you point out that once again the RN is expected to perform without proper air cover.
Further, what muddleheaded thinking puts so much money into just two hulls -- the new aircraft carriers -- when the standard fleet gets hacked back almost daily?
David, Brill, UK
Well said Libby.
Richard, Liverpool, UK
Schools n' Hospitals! The rallying cries of the Left have left the British military in demoralised tatters. There is no way of reversing that fact quickly or easily. Many member of the military, me amongst them, will delight in the politicians impudent fury over the coming years.
Richard Jones, Gloucester, UK