Put Phillips and the pirates in the water

So the pirates of the Horn of Africa are holding American merchantman Captain Richard Phillips hostage in a lifeboat of Maersk Alabama, Phillips' ship.

A lifeboat of the type used aboard Maersk Alabama, an update from the earlier photo I used here.

A "pirate spokesman" (pirates do PR? Who knew?) claimed from dry land this afternoon that a deal has been reached with US negotiators to pay a "small ransom" for Phillips' release. The pirates would be flown to safety by a US helicopter that would also carry Phillip away (details).

But the deal could break down easily said the pirate spokesman. Yeah, I guess so.

Let's suppose for a thought experiment that it does break down. Let's be clear about the objective: it is to obtain the release of Capt. Phillips unharmed. That must take precedence over capture of the pirates. Years of weak-kneed responses to Horn piracy mustn't be corrected at Phillips' expense.

But if there is no deal, what then? I would say this: sink the lifeboat. I don't mean blow it out of the water. I mean to send a SEAL team to the boat, underwater, about 3 a.m., to penetrate the hull non-explosively in several places. Boat sinks rapidly. With no overt act on our part, even the pirates won't know why they're sinking, at least at first.

In the confusion, SEALs reach in and pull Phillips overboard, then head for nearest US warship. They can even make way underwater and motorized, Phillips wearing appropriate breathing gear. SEALs and Phillips gain safety, pirates learn how long they can tread water.

The on-scene US commander announces over loudspeaker that we will honor our word not to take the pirates prisoner. Then he bids them goodbye and good luck. Everyone sails away.

This might be a tactic to rescue the hostages of the Italian tug pirates seized today, though with 16 crew held captive, it's more complicated.

Update: Thanks to the a commenter who linked to a merchantman captain's blog whence came photo of the lifeboat, above. I'm not sure this invalidates my proposition, although it would complicate it some. As commenter RebeccaH points out, when the boat starts sinking the exits will come open PDQ.

There are four pirates holding Capt. Phillips. Minimally, the SEAL team would need, IMO:

• Four SEALS to puncture the hull. Enough opening must be made fore and aft, port and starboard, to bring the boat down on an even keel.
• At least four designated shooters to take out the pirates in case they made a hostile move toward Phillips or the SEALs.
• Two assigned to grab Phillips and get him into the water. Maybe two SEALs per side to this task. If necessary, they can buddy breathe with Phillips until they get him outside the boat.
• One SEAL (or one per side) with breathing gear for Phillips.
• A reserve team of two or three to intervene if need be.
• An escape team with motorized underwater transport.

Full disclosure - I was an Army officer, not a Navy man, so if any reader has better credentials for this, chime in.