They have to fire upon it. It could be full of explosives, a suicide bomber.

Sawyer, trust me when I say that it is quite capable of a lot more than just that. Although I am in the military, I disagree with all the continued deployments and extended time away from home. We don't need nor can we afford another War with a country that doesn't really pose a threat to us from across the world. Let the Israeli's handle their business and leave us to our debt cutting, heath care fighting and completely abysmal political wranglings.

Shandril, I guess you don't understand the concept of a safety barrier. I don't care how "small" a pleasure craft or fishing boat is, it is more than capable of carrying enough explosives to do heavy damage to any vessel. Remember the USS COLE? Or should our men & women just let themselves get run into in order to save some dumb asses who who wanted to get a close up look by ignoring repeated warnings. If you have never served (and I know you haven't ) you wouldn't understand.

The video was shown on the news last night, and it happened just like they said. Anyone stupid enough to keep advancing when they see a storm of bullets just in front of them are suicidal. Most got their wish.

Sawyer do you not remember October 12, 2000 when the USS Cole was attacked and Seventeen American sailors were killed, and 39 were injured. Damn Bleeding hearts

Right, because this whole story makes sense, doesn't it? Especially the part about the skiff riding off into the sunset at the end.......only a few comments, cool. Biggest story of 2012 so far, it will be proved, eventually. This was one for the good guys.

For all that haven't had boating experience in American waters where there are naval ships ....

STAY AWAY! .. they mean business ... they will shot if you get to close, even in American waters! It is disconcerting to be under threat by ones own navy when boating, but they have serious security measures to contend with today ... in small harbors that they are present in, it's particularly unnerving to be challenged and stay out of their range ....

bp, what channel did they show the vid on? all i can find is a reenactment using computer created images.

Shandril, you must read the article, not just the headline!

Let's guess- Shandril and Sawyer 1): live in Kansas / the desert 2): have never been in the service.

Thus are excellant sources of advice about nautical / military matters.

To paraphrase Issac Asimov: "Your ignorance about the subject is not as valid as my knowledge of it".

Shandril is upset that it wasn't American sailors killed.

On April 24, 2004, Boatswain's Mate First Class Michael Pernaselli was killed in a waterbourne suicide attack in the Persian Gulf when the USS Firebolt intercepted a small craft loaded with explosives. Our Navy cannot afford to guess wrong, Shandril.

Keep thinin the herd of the stupid ones that pollute the gene pool! Good Job to the Rappahannock!

I find it interesting that no one has made any mention of what the U.S. Navy found on the skiff (other than one dead crewmember and 3 wounded ones). One would think that if they had found explosives or weaponry on the skiff that they would disclose that information.

The only question, was why didn't the Navy completely sink the boat. And Sandral, STFU, I guess you don't care about 19 sailors that died in 2000 for allowing one of these skiffs close. The skiff had plenty of time to divert course. It didn't and paid the price.

Great job NAVY!!!

Why does Obama adm. not tell the Yankees- whom they killed? The boat was an Indian fishing boat and they killed one (1) Indian and injured 3 others. US Amb. to New Delhi Nancy Powell has expressed personal regrets to Indian g'ment- FM Krishna -unfortunate incident- Indian g'ment asked UAE to conduct inquiry to the shooting and killing of Indian fisherman and injuring 3 Indian fishermen. UAE has to inform foreign navies to the fishing rights for Indians and others off their shore to deter the unwanton killing of indigent fishermen.

Fish all you want, stay away from Navy ships. Plenty of water to fish without being within a mile of a navy ship.

So after warning shots are fired and you continue to pursue the navy should just watch them get close. Action would have been avoided several times if these "Indians" had turned a different direction.

Shandril, they had warning lights, loadspeakers, warning shots over the bow, what would you have them do after the USS Cole?? They should have used a cannon but I think it just had the 50's. These people were idiots and kept racing full ahead, no sympathy except they did not actually sink the boat.............

Shandril

Idiot you can even read so maybe someone should draw you a picture

You open up on a small skiff with a 50 cal hitting 4 people killing one and you don't sink the skiff and they get way?

Interesting! The headline sez that it was at 150 yards, yet the article mentions that they weren't fired upon till it was within 100 yards, so which is it?

Shandril - you said - ""The Navy killed three fisherman, pleasure boaters, or otherwise innocent people, and you cheer them on? Would you do the same if, say, a Mexican military vessel blew an American civilian craft out of the water for "getting too close"?""

Umm.. Perhaps you would be Happy if that watercraft had been loaded with EXPLOSIVES and had pulled up along side of a U.S. Navy Ship and Blown a Massive Hole in Her Side ? would THAT please you,..... you're HIGHNESS... perhaps if you were not quite so bloody ignorant to The potential for Damage and loss of life... or perhaps you ARE AWARE..

""and you cheer them on? Would you do the same if, say, a Mexican military vessel blew an American civilian craft out of the water for "getting too close"?""

well, as for me personally... NO,.. H*** NO. its sad when Anyone loses their life from Being in the wrong place at the wrong time,.. BUT OUR BOY'S DID THE RIGHT THING ! if you Don't think protecting American Navy Soldiers, and Vessels..(Despite repeated Warnings) WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.. perhaps you might be Happy to MOVE ELSEWHERE... Heck, just let me know.. we will start a Donation Fund, to Expidite your Departure.

@Duuug

The report said "approaching 100 yards". Meaning the crew opened fire before it reached the 100 yard mark, but it did not turn away until reaching the 90 yard mark. Reading comprehension is not your strong suit, eh?

The ignorance of recent American history shown by these idiotic posts is horrifying. Howmany of you fools can remember a news item from 2000 about the USS Cole? That was one example of Al Quadea (whatever) attacking us...crew members were killed when a seemingly innocent skiff or small boat waved and smiled and pulled close enough to throw exmplosives into the ship, causing deaths of several lAmericans. Is that what you prefer to happen instead of makiing sure small boats ('innocent or otherwise) don't get too close? These people were behavin like suicide bombers of the past and I'm sorry but ignorance is not bliss. What kind of moroons can't understand the universal sign language of flashing lights, loudspeakers, etc. etc? Do y ou have to have it in Hindi or plain lEnglish? I think not. We have to protect our own and ourselves in this terror-ridden world we live in. I'm afraid they got what theyf asked for, whether they knew it or not. A word to the wise, do not ignore flashing lights and other signals cooming from something a lot bigger than you!!!

Full support and props to the Navy. The time line is a little off though:

2:50pm
The vessel, a motorized skiff, sighted at 5 miles, approaching Rappahannock from starboard (right) side at 20-25 knots.

2:51pm
The skiff now at 1200 yards when it turned inbound, headed directly for the Rappahannock

5 nautical miles is 10,000 yards. There is no way a boat at 20-25 knots closed 8,800 yards in one minute. That would require a speed of 528 knots.

DingleB don't ask this group to engage in critical thought please. It's beyond their abilities.

Doh! Let's make that 264 knots, not 528. Not that either speed is possible by a skiff.

I believe these civilians didn't recognize the Rappahannock as a U.S. Navy vessel until it was too late.

Sure Shandril and maybe we can just ignore fishing boat headed straight toward our ships. Don't worry, a Aircraft Carrier only cost about 6.2 Billion dollars. -_-
Your comment is ridiculous.

150 Yards... that's a 7 or very easy 6 iron... pretty close.

2:50pm
The vessel, a motorized skiff, sighted at 5 miles, approaching Rappahannock from starboard (right) side at 20-25 knots.

This could also mean that the boat previously sited at 5 miles.

2:51pm
The skiff now at 1200 yards when it turned inbound, headed directly for the Rappahannock

1200 yards being the range it decided to be dumb.

That is how one could read this.

Second that...

I believe these civilians didn't recognize the Rappahannock as a U.S. Navy vessel until it was too late.#1.30 - Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:22 PM CDT

I don't know... looks like a US Navy ship to me.

Ma Deuce is fully capable of engaging that target a hell'of'a lot further out that 150 yards.

About 2,300 yards further in the right hands.

How dumb would you have to be in order not to recognize a US Navy vessel of this size, lights flashing, making noise, flying US flag (flags are used for naval communication and should be recognized by all sailing vessels), and then continue on a collision course with 50 caliber bullets being fired in front of you?

I think it may have been a test to see how close they could get to a US military ship so they could see how big a bomb it would take or what kind of strategy it would require to make a successful attack in the future.

The US Navy vessel is an oil supply vessel- and the dead Indian's name is Sekhar (his body will be repatriated to India-State of Tamil Nadu in Southern India) the 3 injured Indian fishermen at the Rashid Hospital in Abu Dhahi are K.Muthukannan,Muthummiya Raj and Pnadu Sanuthan. UAE and now US Navy are investigating the shooting of the fishermen's boat and the death of Sekhar, There were no demarcation lines at all.

cant we all just say opps!! ..they should have been blown up instead.

I mentioned this incident on another article.

While I was in the Gulf in the 80's escorting tankers we had a helicopter originating from Iran take a direct course toward our ship. The rules of engagement went into effect and radio warnings were given, each one more direct. It wasn't until missles shot on the rails and we lit him up with fire control did he start yapping he was "lost". That tells me he had a threat detection system onboard. Just a test of response and resolve.

Is it to bad someone was killed for no reason, sure. They did it to themselves however. I've shot a .50 cal before and you don't miss it.

Double post

Ask the relatives of the 17 sailors who died on the USS Cole their opinion.

Your're right - they probably should have wiated until the explosives were detonated beside the ship killing possibly hundreds.

I'm sure that someone is reviewing the video of the whole event right now and if there was wrong doing by the military it will be "leaked" out by someone in the white house and spun to benefit our wounderful leader (and I use that term very loosely).

I would say that based on the information released so far that they were justified. Radio warnings, flashing warning lights and sirens and they continued to head directly at the ship??? Right, maybe they were confused and though that the Navy ship needed help and they were going to be hero's by coming to their rescue....unfortunately I think that it's time for you to face reality.

shandril, their stupidity got them killed. warning shots were fired yet they did not change course.

Exactly, Shandril, are you a little slow? What innocent boat keeps approaching a military ship when they were warned to stay away. Sheeze, get a clue..

Yes, I believe that after we lost 17 sailors on the U.S.S. Cole that the Navy did the right thing in changing the rules of engagement. Anybody who sails knows the US Navy's rules of engagement, they broadcast warnings in multiple languages, the flash warning signals at them, they bring their weapons to bear and sound general quarters. The watches on the U.S.S. Cole were standing there covered in their shipmates blood, but were not allowed to open fire on a second approaching vessel because they had not been fired upon. In addition to the 17 that died, there were 10 children who lost a parent, and 35 wounded, one a 19 year old who lost her legs.

@Shandril, You just dont seem to get it these terrorists will do anything to KILL YOU just because you are an American. I believe the right thing was done to protect American lives, eventhough my dream is the we as Americans find away to not need this middle east oil, this would make the middle east a meaningless piece of earth. BUt back to the story, it would have been nice to verify the fact that a bomb was onboard so people stop defending the bad guys.

Thank you Desert Bill!!! I'm going to have to hit the ignore button on shandril....

Yes Shandril-I would have killed those people on a guess! Because if I am right all my shipmates live, and if I am wrong they could all die, so if you are still stupid enough to continue approaching an active Navy vessel after receiving those warnings, then I have NO PROBLEM blowing your a$$ out of the water. I bet the next boat pays more attention!

On April 24, 2004, Boatswain's Mate First Class Michael Pernaselli was killed in a waterbourne suicide attack in the Persian Gulf when the USS Firebolt intercepted a small craft loaded with explosives. The men of the Firebolt were doing their jobs, which meant putting themselves on the line for us. Our Navy cannot afford to guess wrong, Shandril.

Shandril, the navy kills because of threats. Here's another point if you have a gun in your hand when police confront you and you don't drop the weapon then you will be shot.

Since you don't like the military protecting themselves perhaps you should find a country that doesn't get involved in anything. I hear Finland and Greenland are nice. See ya.

@Sandril... the US navy didn't know if the skiff was carrying Skittles and Ice Tea or explosives... They made the right choice no matter WHAT they were carrying.

mlm, do yourself a favor and turn off Fox. If you had been paying attention to real news, you'd know that recent history has shown that our "wonderful" leader (if you had spell checked) has relished getting mileage out of supporting military actions (like drone strikes, killing OBL).

And your point is??????

if there was wrong doing by the military it will be "leaked" out by someone in the white house and spun to benefit our wounderful leader

How does our military doing something 'wrong' help any American, let alone the Commander in Chief?

These terrorists would kill Shandril (or any women) because she is an American or a women. Pick one, they don't care.

Marlen,

Nothing has been stolen from the Social Security Trust Fund. It doesn't work that way. Educate yourself on how the Trust Fund works, then re-post with knowledge instead of ignorance.

Nah Much more fun to fight another war. Old people on Sociall Security don't generally create jobs. But wait!!what about all those medical and health care related jobs created by our old folks on Medicare andn also Medicaid, for that matter? Nursing homes, hospitals, plain old lab work? Not to mention prescriptions, etc. if it weren[t for elderly people in America there would be even MORE unemployment. That's why we need to keep the Social Security Fund solvent, not to menbtion Medicare and Medicaid. When our solders get killed or cripped in our endless wars, they too contribute toward one industry or another...funeral homes and also those physical therapy places, etc. etc. prescripts, etc. I can see huge bonuses for health care industry and insurance CEOS froom now on!!! And old folks don't require public school teachers or schools themselves, even. Give it a thought. The m ore old people kept alive the better. for our economy.

Ahhhh! Lil' Debbie, I love someone who can still think.

thanks i enjoyed that, im sure their defense attourneys will say my clients are innocent..but still stupid.

Ritdog, best laugh I've had all day. All defense attorneys say their clients are innocent, and were framed. Same here.

I would hope the Navy was smart enough NOT to send a boarding party to possibly be blown up by unknown terrorists (ah, suicide bombers) who had nothing left to lose at that point of disablement.

Yes, these were indeed "fishermen"....fishing for American blood! Hoorah U.S. Navy!!!!

If they did not go and collect the hamburger after the fact, how does the intel on the one killed and three injured hold any water? Or did the "skiff" send a radio response... ´my bad, you got one of us and hurt 3 others´

How stupid. My guess is there were explosives on board and these "innocent" fishermen or tourists or teenagers on their way to a wedding (lol) had something to h ide. If not, then they are exposed in all their stupidity. I'm sure if they were "innocent" tourists or fishermen, we'll be sure andn get the "other" side via al jazeera or some other middle eastern "news' source (I use the term lightly).

Four stiffs in a skiff: I like it.

You are right. Onen got away to tell some tall tale or other.

*12.7 mm = 0.50"

Very good! Funny.....

Roger, it is called intelligence...We have people amongst those people who can get word on the street. As an ex Navy you should know this.

The boat did not disappear into the sunset. Local Coast Guard intercepted it and towed it to shore. Obviously the crew onboard the RAP stopped firing on the vessel when it went dead in the water and was no longer a threat. According to all accounts thus far, the crew did exactly what they were trained to do; that is to exercise lethal force against the threat until that threat is neutralized. I encourage all here to give our men in uniform the benefit of the doubt during the early reporting stages of an event like this. They deserve that much from their fellow countrymen.

Who is "we?" Does anyone here honestly think that the boat was allowed to disappear off into the sunset? The UAE has a Coast Guard and the USN has a maritime security team in the port of Jebel Ali. Fairly confident that the boat was intercepted soon after the incident. I encourage all here to give our men and women in uniform the benefit of the doubt throughout the media reporting period of these events. By all accounts the crew did exactly what they were supposed to do in this situation. Which is to employ deadly force until the threat is neutralized.

The boat was inspected by local authorities when it reached shore and the dead and injured were removed. There were no explosives or weapons found. I have also read another account that the boat was a 30 footer with 3 outboards. It would be hard to hear a radio, or even warning shots over that kind of noise at 20-25 knots.

If they couldn't hear the warnings, it's a darned shame they didn't use the visual cues their eyes were providing: big military craft...with guns...mmm...what to do?

Since when do you go up against a boat that you just loaded with bullets. If they were not letting the boat get within one hundred and fifty feet of them then why would they want to go after what they suspected to be a boat full of explosives. They followed protocol and did what they had to do. They are still in one piece and so is the ship.

maggiemay,

"why would they want to go after what they suspected to be a boat full of explosives."

I did not say that the Navy ship should be the one to check out the skiff. I suggested that someone ought to be checking it out. Were they terrorists? Was the boat loaded with explosives? Were they just innocent civilians on a pleasure cruise? Will we ever know? Not unless someone checks it out. There are a lot of unanswered questions here.

Yeah, how do you not see, and hear, someone shooting a 50 cal machine gun at you? If you are that blind, and that deaf, you shouldn't be piloting a boat.