the rix mix

Pirates capture Saudi oil tanker

Pirates have seized a giant Saudi-owned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean off the Kenyan coast and are steering it towards Somalia, the US Navy reports.

The US-bound tanker was captured on Saturday some 450 nautical miles (830km) south-east of Mombasa, and is now approaching the Somali port of Eyl.

The Sirius Star is carrying its full load of 2m barrels - more than one-quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output.

Its international crew of 25, including two Britons, is said to be safe.

Lt Nathan Christensen, a spokesman for the US Navy's 5th Fleet, said the attack was "unprecedented".

According to the Navy, the ship is "nearing an anchorage point" at Eyl, a port often used by pirates based in Somalia's Puntland region.

These pirates are likely in it for ransom & profit. But put aside that the report has come from the U.S. Navy & consider the "two Britons" & that this story is front-paged at BBC. In the traditional British attitude, those two British citizens make the hijacking a matter for Great Britain's Navy. The British won't be inclined to act rashly or unilaterally, but we should assume that the clock is running & certain elite units of their Royal Marines are already cleaning their weapons in an undisclosed location. Saudis & Americans are aware of this. Perhaps the Somalian pirates are not. If they're smart enough, they'll put those two Brits in a boat & radio the British Navy to come & pick them up.

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