V. Speech Practice

Answer the questions to the text above.

1. What problem has become common at sea?

2. What up-to-date device was used on the cruise liner to repel the pirates? Tell how it works.

3. What did the pirates use to approach the liner?

4. How did the liner manage to escape?

5. Why do pirate attacks frequently take place off the Somali coast? Give reasons.

6. Why has the accident been called the "tip of the iceberg"?

7. What measures could stop piracy? Express your opinion.

When discussing the problem make use of the conversational formulas below:

Apparently,… Evidently,…	Очевидно, несомненно
Actually,… In fact,…	Фактически, на самом деле, в действительности
It seems that…	Кажется

Text 2. Pirate mother ship spotted

I. Read the text which will help you look into the problem of piracy off the Somali coast.

Make sure you understand the words below:

at least	not less than
to murder	to kill
to appeal	to request, to ask
aid	help, assistance

November 12, 2005

Since November 5, when pirates tried unsuccessfully to attack a 440-foot cruise liner operated by Seabourn Cruise Lines, at least five other attacks have taken place, most of them northeast of Somalia.

Five vessels were attacked in that same area within the past week. Ships have been commandeered by the pirates and the crews are still believed to be held captive or possibly murdered after the ships were plundered.

Fishermen in the area spotted a pirate mother ship drifting off the Somali coast. Officials think the smaller boats used in attacks are launched from the mother ship.

A crew of more than 10 people, including a captain and engineer, are supposed to be on the ship. The crew is believed to be well-organized.

The director of the International Maritime Bureau appealed to vessels off the Somali coasts to come to the aid of ships under attack. At least they can prevent the hijackers from taking these ships into Somali waters. Once¹ the vessels have entered these waters, the chance of any law enforcement is negligible.

A major trade route passes just off the coast of Somalia. Passing vessels are carrying oil, grain and iron ore from the Gulf and the Red Sea down to the Mozambique Channel. Thousands of merchant ships follow this route on their way to the Cape of Good Hope every year.

Merchant ships were warned to stay at least 200 nautical miles away from the Somali coast.

Somalia has been ruled by rival warlords since 1991. Many of the warlords are believed to run gangs who smuggle drugs, weapons and people by road, sea and air around the region.

Vocabulary

to commandeer	силой забирать (об имуществе), конфисковывать
to hold captive	держать в плену
to plunder	присваивать незаконно; грабить
hijacker	угонщик
enforcement	соблюдение закона
negligible	незначительный
rival	соперничающий; конкурирующий
warlord	военный диктатор; военачальник
to smuggle	провозить контрабандой