RE: Letters of marque

At 9:21 AM -0400 1/12/02, Bob Makowsky wrote:
>As far as any piracy in the Caribbean Basin at this time, I cannot
recall a
>case we have been involved with or one that has crossed message traffic
that
>I have seen.  There is still thievery but the "drug runner" steals boat
to
>use to smuggle is over.  Purpose purchased vessels are the current
choice of
>platform.

The large preponderance of Piracy that I have heard rumored to be 
active in the Caribbean involves 2 types:

	a. theft (by subterfuge or force) of small boats from people 
for the purpose of running drugs.
	b. groups that prey on refugee's in boats.

	I highly doubt anyone would even contemplate taking over a 
commercial ship in waters so close to the US. It would be like waving 
a big flag and "saying come invade my country."

>And yes, if we heard of any piracy we would respond with a Cutter (less
than
>a frigate but more multi-mission capable) and it would go badly for the
>pirates.

Exactly my point. Plus, you guys have High Endurance Cutters that go 
all the way to asia and back from Hawaii.

--
Ryan Gill	  |	   |	     rmgill@mindspring.com
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