Re: Re: Pirates warn US against hostage rescue attempt

[Guest guest]

Or the submarine can just follow it on it's own power. 

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[Guest guest]

The US Navy only has big nuclear boats. These are meant to operate in deep waters and the coastal shallows are extremely dangerous for them. They also don't have any weapons of value against small target like speedboats. All they have are powerful and expensive torpedoes meant to kill other big subs or major surface vessels and cruise missiles.

The SEALs do have some called a Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) that is used to transport a few SEALs underwater. It is slow, unarmed and rather uncomfortable because the passengers and crew are in the water and breathing through SCUBA systems.

Some other nations use diesel subs that are updates of the WWII variety. Still, they too use torpedoes and such and I don't think any of them have deck guns. Even if they did, there would be a time delay of surfacing then getting them in action. If the crew had to go on decks to man the guns, they would be fully exposed to the pirates who, if they were on the ball, could speed to the subs and take its crew under fire before they could get the guns operational.

What could work, given what we have, is to use a relay of drones like the Predator to follow the target boats from altitude where they won't likely be seen. We could then see what port they go to, or track them back to their mother ships. It might be amusing to track a mother ship and wait for the pirates to leave it to attack a ship, then sink the mother ship. Imagine their surprise to find themselves stranded in the middle of the ocean. Observe them for a day or two then send a surface ship to ask if they would like to surrender. Hostages could be an issue, but that will always be a worry.

The only other solution would be to make the merchant ships convoy up and move them with naval escorts that are authorized to shoot any vessels that get too close. The business community probably would protest because that would increase costs and cause time delays. Also, the shipping companies don't seem to be too worried yet since shipping insurance hasn't gone up too much in this area. It is starting to tell, but not yet.

Or the submarine can just follow it on it's own power. Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less.