Death by Seasickness
The navy seals who rescued Capt. Richard Phillips from the Somali pirates on April 11 were more than good shots. According to three senior intelligence officials who declined to be identified discussing operational secrets, the SEALs aboard the USS Bainbridge shortened the tow rope to the covered 18-foot lifeboat containing the captain and his captors until the boat was tossing and wallowing in the ship's wake. The extreme motion had a desired effect: two of the pirates were leaning over the side to vomit when the SEALs shot them. To kill a third, a sniper shot out the glass, then, with a quick second shot, killed the pirate holding a gun on Phillips.
President Obama had authorized the Navy to kill the pirates if the captain's life was "in imminent danger." FBI hostage specialists were advising the Navy on how to talk to the pirates, but the situation seemed to be deteriorating into a "surrender-or-die situation," according to a knowledgeable source. Some useful intelligence saved the day. A fourth pirate, suffering from a gashed hand sustained during the capture of the cargo ship, the Maersk Alabama, surrendered and came aboard the destroyer for medical attention. He revealed that the pirates had run out of khat, the narcotic leaf they chew, and were experiencing symptoms of withdrawal. Their cravings made them erratic and dangerous—but prone to seasickness. That's when the SEALs came up with the plan to shorten the tow rope and make them sicker. The pirates were feuding when they were shot. At first, Phillips later told his rescuers, he thought they had shot each other.
Comments