http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/10/02/sea.mystery/index.html

The crew of the 47-ft Joe Cool is missing. There are bullet casings and blood in the bridge. Two men were found in a life raft about 10 miles from the boat. They are being held without bond. Their alibis won't hold water. It isn't known how they got on board, but one good way might be via waving your shirt from a life raft, assuming they would take you on board.

So, how do you tell a couple of innocent people in a life raft from a pair of pirates?

And what do you do with them, whichever they turn out to be?

First, I'd search them. It isn't clear who the 9mm Glock belonged to, but it isn't the survival kit of choice I'd choose if I had to abandon ship. And if I were the crew, I wouldn't leave it lying around for strangers to appropriate.

Here are some choices:
1) Bring them aboard, search them, and tie them up.
2) Bring them aboard and then shoot them, throw them overboard.
3) Don't bring them aboard, leave them in the life raft, tie it to your stern rail and tow them to what currently passes for civilization.
4) Wave goodbye as you pass and yell that you hope they have a decent survival kit and lots of water.

Any other thoughts?

What to the boat people here say?

Sue

Call the Coast Guard to assist while standing close by the raft if you have questions??

When I had a boat in South Florida, we usually had firearms on board.

I suspect the 2 in custody killed the crew and tried to hijack the boat.

If I had a fishing boat like that and regularly went way off shore, especially off the southern coast of florida, It'd probably be smart to at least have a small firearm on board. Having said that, if I happened to see a liferaft, and the weather was relatively calm, etc. I'd probably call the coast guard and keep them in close visual range until help arrived. Maybe make a close drive by and toss 'em a couple of bottles of water or something. This is one sad story though.

I would figure the master of the vessel makes the rules.

Sue

A couple of things first: as a Coastie Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer (MLEBO), I have dealt with this problem a few times.

1) Know where you're sailing, has piracy been an historical problem? Bahamas, Carribean Sea, Western Pacific, African waters, etc.

2) Realize that most pirates today sign on as crew at a foreign port after a night of the Captain/crew having too many drinks @ a local pub and meeting an expatriated American looking to get home or a local who claims to have knowledge of the area being sailed to.

3) After sailing, the vessel is approached by another vessel (pirate) & the "new crewman" pulls a weapon and gets the drop on the rest of the crew. The "pirate" vessel & crew comes alongside and does what they wish to the crew and the vessel (usually to use it for drug running).

4) Or the pirate vessel approaches close and opens up with small arms fire, disabling the crew (& sometimes the vessel).

On picking up survivors:

1) It is best to mintain some distance.

2) Stay witin hailing distance, and call the nearest gov't maritime agency (USCG, Bahamian Defense Force, Jamaican Coast Guard, etc.)

3) Throw the "survivors" water if they ask, but maintain a safe distance AT ALL TIMES. Manuever your vessel to be able to make a fast getaway!

4) Never tie their raft or boat to your vessel (that's 1 thing that they want you to do).

5) Most pirates appear to be very nice people.

Miscellanous Facts:

1) It is legal to carry firearms onboard. Most vessels carry a pistol and a pump shotgun. Some prefer a semi-auto rifle, as well. That is expected by boarding officers.

2) When in ANY port, keep your business to yourself, don't answer questions, ask questons as an answer. Never admit to being an American, claim Canadian citizenship, they don't tick the people of the world off like we do.

3) Flying a "Jolly Roger" is considered to be a declaration of piracy by most countries and is punishable by death!!! Flying "Flags of rebellion" (ie: Confederate Battle Flag, etc.), can also get you arrested and is punishable by death! This category includes the various "Nazi" flags and modern derivatives.

Sounds like something from a Tom Clancey novel...

Actually, Peter Benchley did it first in his novel The Island .

You might also wish to peruse the works of Ted Bell...

What's this I hear about a new zombie movie up in Alaska?!?!

Some small isolated town gets hit by a zombie infestation the first night of the longest winter night (30 hours of darkness) and the town is cut off from all outside communications.

I think it has to do with vampires, hence the importance of 30 “days” of darkness.

Pete