World Deals With 'Out-of-Control' Pirates

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov. 19, 2008 -- The Saudi government confirmed today that it has begun negotiating with the pirates who hijacked a supertanker filled with $100 million worth of crude oil, the same day that an Indian warship blasted a pirate ship out of the water.

Saudi Prince Saud Al-Faisal said today the Saudi government does not like to negotiate with "pirates, terrorists or hijackers" but Vela International, the owners of the tanker, is "the final arbiter" on the issue.

The capture of the massive tanker called the Sirius Star shocked the shipping world this week because it was the largest vessel ever seized by pirates and it occurred 450 nautical miles from Somalia, out on the Indian Ocean, an area that had not been affected by the spreading menace.

The surge in Somali piracy continued today. A Thai fishing boat with 16 crew members was attacked as it traveled to the Middle East, and the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program claims that a Greek vessel, with up to 25 people on board, was captured in the Gulf of Aden.

Though the pirates grow bolder, there is one less pirate ship to worry about.

Indian naval officials say one of its warships fired on a pirate "mother vessel" in the Gulf of Aden today after pirates tried to attack it.

The Indian navy says its ship the INS Tabar encountered the vessel during an anti-piracy mission. When the Tabar asked the vessel to stop for further investigation, the pirates issued a message that they would "blow up the naval warship if it closed her."

According to a statement issued by the Indian navy, pirates could be seen roaming the upper deck with guns and RPGs. After the pirates fired on the warship, the Indian navy fired back, blowing up the pirate vessel. Two breakaway boats sped away. One was recovered but abandoned, while the other escaped.

The Indian navy said its actions were necessary "to protect our seaborne trade, instill confidence in our seafaring community as well as function as a deterrent for pirates."

Despite the presence of warships from the United States and several other nations, it was one of the rare times that the Indian navy fired on pirates and the first time it sank a pirate ship.