From: DAWGFACE47@w...
Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002 08:24:22 -0600 (CST)
Subject: SOUTH CHINA SEAS PIRATES
WELL, I do not remember what channel this was on, but suspect it was PBS, TLC, THC, or similiar. The same channel also had another special about treasure hunters who were blatantly ripped off by the local Thai Navy and Maritime Police after they located and salvaged the treasure. Another program that aired was about a salvage tug dispatched from Singapore to tow a big cargo ship into port that had complete engiine failure. Arriving on site, they encountered a swarm of FPBs from Indonisia around the cargo vessel, and were told to leave for their own safety; there were pirates in the area. When the tug skipper insisted he was there to tow the ship into port at the owners charter, the tug was boarded, crew arrested for piracy and the tug seized by the FPBs. Later the cargo ship and tug were released-they were recovered from pirates - but cargo was gone, along with anything else of value o both vessels. The "white" crew were also released by the authorities, but "non-white" crew members were apprently jailed for a length of time. The owner's apparently paid a "fine" for the "white crew" first, and then a second "fine" for the "non-white crew" who it was assumed would be released without being held for ransome. A friend of mine, who is a retired commo officer in the merchant marine told me and others that way back in the 60s and 70s, some South China Seas coastal and inter island steamer or motor vessel officers went armed at all times because of the possibility that their vessels and cargos might be attacked by pirates travelling as deck passengers or by small boats when at anchor in port. Sounds fantastic in this day and age to some folks, but I believe based on my own eyeball observations of 3rd through 7th world life. DAWGFACE