Comments on: MAERSK ALABAMA – First Person Account of the Pirate Attack http://blog.usni.org/2009/04/17/maersk-alabama-first-person-account-of-the-pirate-attack/ The Naval Institute’s taken its independent forum to a new level - with you in the middle of it. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:43:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Hayball http://blog.usni.org/2009/04/17/maersk-alabama-first-person-account-of-the-pirate-attack/comment-page-1/#comment-105807 Hayball Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:53:20 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=2317#comment-105807 The most remarkable thing was the initative, determination and daring at every level of the crew. The fact that they had drilled on it, thought it through, and where possible, made modifications to fortify their ship well in advance of the attack certainly helped. Their universal determination to evade, reassemble, and counter attack with their limited assets, sinking the attacking vessel and altering the tactical situation decisively in their favor, when most would consider themselves unarmed and helpless, may be unprecedented in the annals of the sea. I am in awe. Some men make their own luck by their forehandedness and valor. Some few men, men such as these. In peace they trade, in war...well there it is for all to see. If the merchant marine doesn't have a combat action ribbon, they need to invent one. And a Distinguished Mariner medal with combat V. And a Merchant Mariner Cross. Because these guys rate 'em. The most remarkable thing was the initative, determination and daring at every level of the crew. The fact that they had drilled on it, thought it through, and where possible, made modifications to fortify their ship well in advance of the attack certainly helped.

Their universal determination to evade, reassemble, and counter attack with their limited assets, sinking the attacking vessel and altering the tactical situation decisively in their favor, when most would consider themselves unarmed and helpless, may be unprecedented in the annals of the sea.

I am in awe. Some men make their own luck by their forehandedness and valor. Some few men, men such as these. In peace they trade, in war…well there it is for all to see.

If the merchant marine doesn’t have a combat action ribbon, they need to invent one. And a Distinguished Mariner medal with combat V. And a Merchant Mariner Cross. Because these guys rate ‘em.

]]> By: UltimaRatioReg http://blog.usni.org/2009/04/17/maersk-alabama-first-person-account-of-the-pirate-attack/comment-page-1/#comment-105787 UltimaRatioReg Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:50:23 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=2317#comment-105787 FFry; Many thanks for posting. Let's hope the Lessons Learned portion of our program is well-distributed. And that we don't assume all future pirate boarding parties are going to be as novice and untrained as these. FFry; Many thanks for posting. Let’s hope the Lessons Learned portion of our program is well-distributed. And that we don’t assume all future pirate boarding parties are going to be as novice and untrained as these.

]]> By: Jim Dolbow http://blog.usni.org/2009/04/17/maersk-alabama-first-person-account-of-the-pirate-attack/comment-page-1/#comment-105784 Jim Dolbow Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:20:37 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=2317#comment-105784 Thanks for sharing! Very informative Thanks for sharing! Very informative

]]> By: Byron http://blog.usni.org/2009/04/17/maersk-alabama-first-person-account-of-the-pirate-attack/comment-page-1/#comment-105782 Byron Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:03:16 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=2317#comment-105782 And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you want your cargo to go under an American flag: smart, brave, extremely competent Merchant Mariners! BZ Alabama!! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you want your cargo to go under an American flag: smart, brave, extremely competent Merchant Mariners! BZ Alabama!!

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