So give us the benefit of your point of view. Consider joining the Group. And let us know how you think the Mariners Action Group should be moving ahead with its mission. It's your mission, too!
We've named the blog Piracy Today because nothing could be more immediate than today's piracy threat. And nothing could be more revealing about our attitudes toward those who have no power, such as the captive seamen, than the attitudes shown by the various governments and shipping companies involved.
The video at the top of this post is a good example - these are not the MV Iceberg 1 hostages, but seven Indian crewmembers of the MT Asphalt Venture who were held back by pirates when their ship - hijacked on 28 September 2010 - was finally released on 15 April 2011.
The Indians were kept as pawns intended to be traded for pirates who have been arrested and are now in Indian custody. But the reaction of the Indian government has been muted at best (Pakistani human rights lawyer Ansar Burney is said to have done more for the Indian crews and their families than has their own government).
This is a difficult situation, and its not as though any of us has an easy answer. Mariners Action Group is just forming and gathering members, and we have no magic prescription. But we feel that ignoring these hostages is not an option! We owe it to them - as human beings, as fellow seamen - to do whatever is within our power.
We intend to begin with petitions aimed at helping the longest-held hostages - those of MV Iceberg1 - and we have requested your help in framing and directing them. Please help the Mariners Action Group to identify appropriate petition targets, in and out of government, who might be in a position to help these men!
Specific names and positions including contact information if possible are requested. This is an important contribution you can make to bring pressure for the hostages' freedom. Let's act!