Somali Pirates Grab Mongolian Flagged Ship

The EU MSC(HOA) reports MV HOANG SON SUN pirated in the Indian Ocean:

The MV HOANG SON SUN is believed to have been pirated approximately 520 nautical miles South East of the port of Muscat, Oman. The 22,835-tonne Bulk carrier, which is Mongolian flagged and Vietnamese owned, has a crew of 24 Vietnamese nationals. No further details of the attack are known at this stage.

NATO reports the following activity by Somali pirates for Jan 19 and 20:

January 20 2011

WARNING Gulf of Aden
Latitude: 13°09 N Longitude: 049°14E
Alert number 058 / 2011.
At 200333 UTC / 20 JAN 11 / a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 13°09N 049°14E.
1 skiff, color white, with 5 POB, weapons and ladders sighted.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
-----------------------------------------------
January 20 2011
---ALERT UPDATE--- Indian Ocean
Latitude: 20°16N Longitude: 064°39E
Alert number 057/2011.
Reference previous Alert number 056 / 2011.
At 2155 UTC / 19 JAN a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 20°16N 064°29E.
1 skiff with 6 pirates, armed, attempting to board with ladder; suspect mother vessel followed.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
***
------------------------------------------------
January 19 2011
---ALERT UPDATE--- Indian Ocean
Latitude: 13°28N Longitude: 065°06E
Alert number 055 / 2011.
Reference previous Alert number 054 / 2011.
At 0453 UTC 19 JAN 11 a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 3 skiffs in position 13°28N 065°06E.
[3 skiffs firing with small arms and RPG's]
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
------------------------------------------------
***
-------------------------------------------------
January 19 2011
---ALERT UPDATE--- Somali Basin
Latitude: 03°10N Longitude: 051°11E
Alert number 053/ 2011.
Reference previous Alert number 052/ 2011.
At 2303 UTC 18 JAN 11 a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 0310N 051 11E.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.

Click to Enlarge

A Study on the "Costs of Piracy"

From the One Earth Future organization, "Oceans Beyond Piracy" web site - "The Cost of Piracy" in three pdf units. Their bottom line (which I will examine soon) is that piracy costs the global community somewhere between $7 to $12 billion annually.

From the Executive Summary at the beginning of the full report:

At the end of 2010, around 500 seafarers from more than 18 countries are being held hostage by pirates.1 Piracy clearly affects the world‘s largest trade transport industry, but how much is it costing the world? One Earth Future (OEF) Foundation has conducted a large-scale study to quantify the cost of piracy as part of its Oceans Beyond Piracy project. Based on our calculations, maritime piracy is costing the international economy between $7 to $12 billion,2 per year.
This report details the major calculations and conclusions made in the study. The project focuses on direct (first) order costs, but also includes some estimates of secondary (macroeconomic costs), where data is available. It concentrates on the supply-side costs to both industry and governments. The study set out to analyze the cost of piracy to the Horn of Africa, Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea, and the Malacca Straits. The focus is inevitably on the costs of Somali piracy because this is the region where contemporary piracy is most highly concentrated and is the greatest source of current data and information.3

From Oceans Beyond Piracy Presentation

 UPDATE2: Is it just me that finds it ironic that pirate ransoms for 2010, estimated at $238 million (page 10 of the full report) are one of the lower costs identified in the report? My math (which may be wrong) says that ransom costs were under 4% of the total costs identified above). Insurance, however, against piracy losses was around 7 to 25%.

UPDATE: Just to put this number in perspective, cargo theft in the U.S. alone has been estimated to be about $30 billion a year -see here.

Further, consider the costs involved in actually taking those actions that might reduce the level of piracy. Hmmm - what would it cost to mount an amphibious operation and stage a punitive raid or more?

Footnotes:

1 Countries include: Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Turkey, Yemen, and Vietnam.
2 Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar costs throughout this paper are in United States (US) dollars.
3 In 2010, 44 successful ship hijackings out of a global total of 48, were conducted by Somali pirates.

Somali Piracy Threat Map for 2010

Nice map by Arun Ganesh of the National Institute of Design, Bangalore found at File:Somalian Piracy Threat Map 2010.png - Wikipedia:

Click to enlarge

Somali Pirates: Greek Owned Ship Taken 17 Jan 2011

EU MSC(HOA) reports MV EAGLE pirated in the Somali Basin:

In the early hours of Monday 17 January, the bulk carrier MV EAGLE was attacked and pirated by a single skiff, with pirates firing small arms and a Rocket Propelled Grenade before boarding the vessel.

The attack occurred in the Gulf of Aden, 490 nautical miles South West of Salaam, Oman. There has been no contact with the ship since the attack.

The MV EAGLE which is Cypriot flagged and Greek owned, has a deadweight of 52,163 tonnes and a crew of 24 Filipinos and was on passage from Aqabar (Jordan) to Paradip (India) when it was attacked. There is no information concerning the condition of the crew. EUNAVFOR is monitoring the situation.

NATO report:

January 17 2011
---ALERT UPDATE--- Somali basin
Latitude: 13°17N Longitude: 061°42 E
Alert number 048 / 2011.
Reference previous Alert number 047 / 2011.
At 0641 UTC / 17 JAN 11 / a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates 1x skiff in position 13 17 N 061 42 E
***This vessel has been hijacked***

NATO Alerts 17 Jan 11 North IO

Talking about the Future of the U.S. Marines on Midrats

Please join CDR Salamander and me as we convene Episode 54 "USMC at the Pivot" at Midrats on Blog Talk Radio:

A decade as a land army, its future combat systems either canceled, delayed, or under pressure, and a Navy that finds itself getting shore-shy, what is the next step for the USMC? Our guest to discuss will be Dakota Wood, Lt. Col., USMC (Ret), a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. He is currently involved in studying the operational challenges of irregular warfare, complex contingencies under high-technology conditions, and proliferated nuclear environments. Before his retirement, LtCol Wood served in a wide variety of operational and staff assignments, including the Corps’ Military Assistant to the Director of the Office of Net Assessment and, provided defense issues analysis support to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on assignment to the Strategic Initiatives Group. Following his retirement, he provided support to the DHS as Operations Officer for the National Biosurveillance Integration System.

That's 5pm (1700), U.S. Eastern Time, 16 January 2011.
If you miss the live show, you can download the show later from the Midrats page at BlogTalkRadio or on iTunes.
Listen to internet radio with Midrats on Blog Talk Radio

Somali Pirates: NATO Commander Admits Pirates Ahead of NATO

2011 Pirate Attacks in Indian Ocean (from IMB)

Well, one NATO commander sees the problem with a Somali pirate force that is inside NATO's OODA loop, as reported at Smarter Somali pirates thwarting navies, NATO admits :

Somali pirates' use of "mother ships" to attack their prey is complicating foreign navies' efforts to improve safety in the Indian Ocean, a senior anti-piracy commander said Friday.

Somalia's expanding army of pirates are increasingly launching their attacks from large, already hijacked vessels that offer greater physical protection during boarding and whose kidnapped crews act as human shields.

Speaking to reporters in the Kenyan port of Mombasa where his NATO flagship was docked, Commodore Michiel Hijmans said few pirates were still using their rudimentary skiffs to board vessels.

One form of "Mother Ship"

"Pirates have gone high tech and few use speed boats. They have switched to usage of mother ships," said Hijmans, who currently commands NATO's Ocean Shield anti-piracy mission.

"We cannot attack mother ships without proper planning since most of them have hostages on board," said the Dutch navy commander.

Hijmans also explained that pirates operating on large hijacked vessels were able to extend their area of operation when on the prowl and were no longer confined to their coastal hideouts during monsoon seasons.

"The pirates can operate in the sea for long as they load the mother ships with enough food, fuel and militant weapons ready for a hijacking spree," he said.

"Pirates are getting smarter every hour... Pirates do not give up unless they cannot board or are threatened. I'm afraid that the war on piracy might not be won until there is a stable government in Somalia," he said.

Hijmans said Somali pirates were currently holding 28 ships and 654 crew members.

I have called the use of these mother ships the "Somali Pirate Navy."

See here, here, and here for more on the "mother ship" problem. See also the NATO Shipping Centre site here.

In light of the use of larger mother ships, my earlier thoughts on blockading Somali pirate ports as a method of containing their activities is under review.

The other options that I currently see place innocent shipping crews at some risk.

Somali Pirates: South Korean Cargo Ship Taken in the Indian Ocean

Samho Jewelry photo © Henk Noevers from MarineTraffic.com

Reported
here:

A South Korean cargo ship with 21 crew members aboard was hijacked in the Indian Ocean on Saturday apparently by Somali pirates, an official at Seoul's foreign ministry said.

The crew of the 10,000-ton ship, carrying chemical materials, comprises eight South Koreans, two Indonesians, and 11 others from Myanmar, the official said, requesting anonymity.

The ship was sailing from the United Arab Emirates toward Sri Lanka when it was hijacked in the waters between Oman and India shortly after noon (Seoul time), he said, adding that the vessel belongs to Samho Shipping based in the southern port city of Busan.

UPDATE: Hijacking (blue arrow points to estimated spot) laid on the northern part of the latest NATO Shipping Center Warning map:

UPDATE: Changed photo to reflect right ship.

EU's MSC(HOA) report on the hijack here:

On the morning of 15 January, the MV SAMHO JEWELRY was pirated approximately 350 nautical miles South East of the port of Muscat, Oman.

The 19,609-tonne Product tanker is Maltese flagged and Norwegian owned. No further details of the attack are known at this stage. MV SAMHO JEWELRY has a crew of 21 (Myanmar, Korean and Indonesian) and is carrying chemicals. MV SAMHO JEWELRY was not registered with MSC(HOA) and had not reported to UKMTO.

There are unconfirmed reports that the crew initially took shelter in a "citadel" (safe room) but that the pirates were patient and nabbed the crew after waiting 24 hours - see here.

Cruise lines moving out of California

Bad business conditions move jobs away from California as AP reports Carnival, other cruise lines fleeing California:

Carnival Cruise Lines said Thursday it is pulling the last of its ships out of San Diego, and other cruise operators are departing Southern California because of economic woes and tourists' fears over traveling to Mexico.

The 2,500-passenger Carnival Spirit is moving to Australia by April 2012, the cruise line announced on its Web site, citing a "huge potential for growth" there while its San Diego business sags.

The Port of San Diego estimates the departure of the ship, which takes more than 60,000 passengers a year to destinations along the Mexican Riviera, will cost the local economy about $54 million in annual spending, the San Diego Union Tribune said.

To the north, Royal Caribbean's 3,100-passenger Mariner of the Seas is leaving on its final voyage from the Port of Los Angeles on Sunday and after a tour of South America. It will end up at its new home base of Galveston, Texas, the Los Angeles Times said. And the 2,348-passenger Norwegian Star will leave LA in May for Tampa, Fla.

The two boats carried nearly half of the business of the Port of Los Angeles in 2009.

While the cruise industry is seeing signs of recovery in Florida and elsewhere, persistent drug-related violence has meant fading interest in cruises to Mexico, the chief destination of California-based ships.

"What we need is a better economy — so does everybody — and a better product in Mexico," Rita Vandergaw, director of marketing for the Port of San Diego, told City News Service.

In the first six months of 2010 just 187 cruises docked in Mexican ports, compared to 290 in the same period in 2008, the Times said.

That giant sucking sound you hear is Mexico's economy slipping further into the third world.

Gasoline prices

Just in case you haven't noticed at the pump, Chart of the Day reports Gasoline prices top $3 per gallon:

The price of a barrel of crude oil has traded sharply higher over the past 4 1/2 months and currently trades above $91 as a result of continued geopolitical tensions and oil suppliers struggling to keep up with demand. With oil prices trending higher, it is not all that surprising to find that gasoline prices are following suit. Since the financial crisis lows at the end of 2008, the average US price for a gallon of unleaded has risen $1.42 per gallon. When adjusted for inflation, gasoline prices are once again above three dollars per gallon -- a level not often seen over the past three decades.

Somali Pirates: Kidnap Crew, Abandon Ship

Reported as Pirates kidnap Danish ship crew but leave vessel:

The crew of a Danish weapons ship have been kidnapped by pirates in the Gulf of Aden off Oman, but in an unusual departure from normal practice, the vessel was not seized, a report said Thursday.

Sources told the TradeWinds shipping publication that the 2,000-tonne ship, The Leopard, was carrying "sensitive" cargo, believed to include weapons.

Vessels operated by the Leopard's Danish operator, Shipcraft, routinely carried nuclear items, although none were believed to have been on board this vessel, it said.

The six crew -- two Danes including the captain, and four Filipinos -- had been taken to a seized Taiwanese fishing vessel being operated as a mothership, the report added.

The ship had meanwhile been located and searched by the Turkish navy and no trace of any pirates or pirate skiffs had been found.

Interesting new twist.

Photo by Jens Smit from Shipspotting.com and used in accord with the terms of that site.

Somali Pirate Activity 5 Jan - 12 Jan 2011

IMB Piracy Attack Map 2011 Indian Ocean

NATO report on the past week's piracy attacks in the Indian Ocean NATO Shipping Centre: SOMALIA PIRACY UPDATE 12 January 2011

January 12 2011

WARNING INDIAN OCEAN
Latitude: 15°11N Longitude: 058°18E
Alert number 033 / 2011.
At 1453 UTC / 12 JAN 11 / a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 2 skiffs in position 15°11N 058°18E.
----------------------------------------------
January 12 2011
WARNING Gulf of Aden
Latitude: 12°06N Longitude: 044°25E
Alert number 032 / 2011.
At 1046UTC / 12 JAN 11 / 2 merchant vessels were reported under attack in position 12°06N 044°25E.
***These vessels managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
--------------------------------------------
January 11 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 14°03N Longitude: 067°29E
Alert number 031/ 2011.
At 1342 UTC 11JAN11 a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 14 03N 067 29E.
Skiff armed and with ladder.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
--------------------------------
January 11 2011
WARNING Somali Basin
Latitude: 07°13N Longitude: 055°24E
Alert number 030/2011
At1304 UTC / 11 JAN 11 / a Pirate Action Group consisting of 2 skiffs was reported in position 07 13N 055 24E.
-------------------------------
January 11 2011
--ALERT UPDATE--- Indian Ocean
Latitude: 16°33N Longitude: 059°08E
Alert number 029/ 2011.
Reference previous Alert number 028/ 2011.
At 1021 UTC 11JAN a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 16°33N 059°08E.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
-----------------------------------
January 11 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 16°33N Longitude: 059°08E
Alert number 028 / 2011.
At 1021 / 11 JAN / a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 1 skiff in position 16°33N 059°08E.
-----------------------------------
January 10 2011
WARNING Red Sea
Latitude: 14°31N Longitude: 42°29E
Alert number 027 / 2010.
At 2241 UTC / 10 JAN / a merchant vessel is currently under attack by pirate skiff in position 14°31N 42°29E. Vsl was fired upon by small arms.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
-----------------------------------
January 09 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 17 42N Longitude: 057 17E
Alert number 026/ 2011.
At 0400Z UTC/ 09 JAN/ a Pirate Action Group consisting of skiffs (number unkown) was reported in position 17 42N 057 17E.
---------------------------------------------------
January 08 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 20 05N Longitude: 062 27E
Alert number 025/ 2011.
At 1110Z UTC/ 08 JAN/ a Pirate Action Group consisting of 1 dhow and 1 skiff was reported in position 20 05N 062 27E.
-------------------------------------------------
January 07 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 21°08N Longitude: 062°45E
Alert number 023 / 2011.
At 1629 UTC / 07 JAN / a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 2 skiffs in position 21°08N 062°45E. Two skiffs with larger skiff in vicinity. Two skiffs fired small arms, larger skiff is 50m.
**This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
--------------------------------------------
January 06 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 04°19S Longitude: 047°02E
Alert number 022 / 2011.
At 0940 UTC / 06 JAN / a Pirate Action Group consisting of one white whaler and one blue skiff was reported in position 04°19S 047°02E.
--------------------------------------------

NATO Alerts as of 11 Jan 11

January 06 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 21°04N Longitude: 063°19E
Alert number 021 / 2011.
At 0901 UTC / 06 JAN / a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 2 skiffs.
Two skiffs, vessel has been fired upon.
--------------------------------------------
January 06 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 20°30N Longitude: 064°03E
Alert number 020 / 2011.
At 0232 UTC / 06 JAN / a merchant vessel was attacked by one pirate skiff.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
(Alert number 019 now cancelled)
-------------------------------------------
January 05 2011
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 04°00N Longitude: 051°58E
Alert number 018/2011
(Reference previous alert number 008 / 2011, now deactivated)
At 1354UTC / 05 JAN 11 / pirated MV YORK conducting mother ship operations was reported in position 04°00 N 051°58 E, course 290°, speed 6.5 kts.

IMB Live Piracy Map can be found here.

UPDATE: Report of a dhow with 14 Indian seafarers being captured here:

An Indian dhow MSV Al-Musa sailing from Dubai to Salalah has been attacked by pirates off the coast of Oman. According to India’s directorate of shipping, pirates have taken about 14 Indians hostage.

The incident occurred on Sunday when the dhow was sailing at about 50 miles off Oman and about 800 nautical miles from the Somali coast carrying food items.

Things to Consider

Like the world's largest diesel (or indeed, reciprocating) engine, the Wärtsilä RT-flex96C:

The Wärtsilä RT-flex96C is a two-stroke turbocharged low-speed diesel engine designed by the Finnish manufacturer Wärtsilä. It is currently considered the largest reciprocating engine in the world, designed for large container ships, running on heavy fuel oil. It stands at (13.5 metres (44 ft)) high, is 27.3 m (90 ft) long, and weighs over 2300 tonnes in its largest 14-cylinder version — producing 109,000 brake horsepower (80,08 MW).

It was put into service in September 2006 aboard the Emma Mærsk. The design is based on the older RTA96C engine,[2] but revolutionary common rail technology has done away with the traditional camshaft, chain gear, fuel pumps and hydraulic actuators. The result is better performance at low revolutions per minute (rpm), lower fuel consumption, and lower harmful emissions.

Information from Wartsila here:

Wärtsilä RT-flex96C and RTA96C low-speed marine diesel engines are tailor-made for the economical propulsion of large, fast container liners.

For all sizes of large, fast containerships from around 3000 up to more than 10,000 TEU capacity, at service speeds of around 25 knots, the RT-flex96C and RTA96C low-speed engines provide a comprehensive engine programme for power outputs from 25,320 to 84,420 kW.

Ship and engine photos from the  "Emma Maersk" website.

How to Deal with News Over-Hype

Indian Ocean: Sea Power and Pirates

Interesting piece found at Africa: Scrambling for sea power in the Indian Ocean - Norwegian Council for Africa:

With the rapid economic and demographic growth of India and China, the rise of South Asian economies and the looming threat of piracy, there is a veritable "scramble" for sea power in the world's third largest ocean.

Despite the boom in air travel in the past century, 90 per cent of global commerce and 65 per cent of all oil travel by sea.

Robert Kaplan, in his maritime treatise Monsoon, notes that the Indian Ocean currently accounts for half of the world's container traffic.

Global energy needs are expected to rise by 45 per cent in the next 20 years, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), and most of this growth will be fuelled by demand from India and China.

The bulk of India and China's crude oil imports are from the Persian Gulf - more than 60 per cent of oil bound for China crosses the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca, a narrow channel of water that separates Malaysia from Indonesia.
***
The military response to pirate attacks has brought about a rare show of unity by countries that are either openly hostile to each other, or at least wary of co-operation, military or otherwise.

Military counter-piracy operations are conducted by naval ships from the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) of Russia, China and India.

The International Maritime Bureau reports that by the first half of 2010, these increased policing efforts by Somali government authorities on land, along with international naval vessels at sea, contributed to a drop in piracy in the Gulf of Aden from 86 a year before to 33.

According to Ecoterra, however, as of mid-November 2010, more than 500 crew members and at least 31 foreign vessels remained in the hands of Somali pirates.

The implications of these power plays for East African economies are far-reaching.

Terrorism, drug smuggling and piracy are among the main challenges being staged in the Indian Ocean that directly affect East Africa, and that the governments of the region must confront.

The pertinent question at the moment is how military and political alliances between East African states and dominant naval powers in the Indian Ocean will play out.

Yes, that is a very good question.

UPDATE: The Norwegians are having a discussion about sea power in the Indian Ocean as ship owners assert that the Norwegian government is not doing enough to protection this vital industry in the IO at Shipowners blast anti-piracy effort:

“Little Norway is a major power on the high seas, and this is perhaps the only area where the international community has special expectations regarding our contribution,” Henriksen told DN.

“While the number of attacks increase and the pirates build up their arms, the Norwegian authorities have pulled out,” Henriksen claimed. “In this situation, Norway is leaving it to others to protect our own fleet. The Norwegian authorities aren’t showing any will to protect Norwegian ships or their crews.

Somalia Pirates: Getting too big to avoid land action by anti-pirate forces?

Call for action against the pirates reported by Strategy Page in Somalia: Calls For Sending Commandoes Ashore:

So far it's all talk, but specific talk about going after the ability of the pirate gangs to function. The continued payment of large (average now about $5 million per ship) ransoms for insured ships, is attracting more warlords, who are forming more pirate gangs and sending more mother ships out than the anti-piracy patrol can handle. Thus the increased talk of commando raids.

How big is the problem? well, USA Today's Jim Michaels reports:

Two years after international forces dispatched a flotilla of warships to counter piracy around the Horn of Africa, attacks on merchant ships are rising again.

Last year, pirates captured 53 ships in the region, up from 51 in 2009, according to the Combined Maritime Forces, which oversees the operations. There were 160 attempted attacks in 2010, up from 145 the year before.

Pirates have shifted tactics so they can prey on merchant ships farther out at sea and evade an international flotilla that was dispatched to the Horn of Africa region to protect heavily used shipping lanes, according to the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain.
***
Aldred said the naval force, with the help of merchant shipping companies, has been successful in reducing piracy from 2008 levels when a spike in attacks led to the creation of the international force.

He also said naval forces are disrupting more attacks. Last year 169 attempts were disrupted, up from 62 the year prior.

The shift in tactics has showed the resiliency of pirates, who have made millions of dollars from ransoms.

Pirates are now using "mother ships," which are able to travel thousands of miles before finding a target and then launching smaller skiffs that pirates use to board merchant ships, said Eric Thompson, an analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses. "That magnifies the challenge of covering that territory," he said.

Yep, when you put the squeeze on one part of a bag of goo, the goo in the bag oozes to another part of the bag. In this case, the pirates, squeezed in the Gulf of Aden, move to the northern Arabian Sea, Madagascar Strait or off the west coast of India.

The shift causes them to need larger, more sea-worthy ships, which they procure by pirating them, giving them a low-overhead system of ship acquisition. When such a ship is used up (out of fuel and food), it is anchored off Somalia to await ransoming by its owners. Another ship is taken to replace it. The pirates have low maintenance costs, too. It's a clever business model.

Anti-piracy forces are reluctant to force their way onto these captive pirate vessels for fear of causing injury to the captive crews of innocent merchant sailors.

So far the problem is tiny in comparison to the volume of shipping involved but, as we have seen, it is expanding and the current methods of squeezing the pirate "bag" is just moving the pirate area of operations away from the convoys and other military efforts.

Some of the better options to fight the pirate expansion are coming off the board as the pirates aggressively use hostages to protect themselves from the counter-piracy forces.

The treatment of this as a purely "law enforcement" problem has proven to be something of a problem - and not very effective. "Catch and release" of captured pirates doesn't deter very much and the costly trials result in more of a hassle for the countries holding them then the deterrent value of facing criminal charges.

Someone is going to have to break some eggs to solve this problem and those eggs that matter are all land-based.

Then there is this problem:

LONG ago, the mice had a general council to consider what measures they could take to outwit their common enemy, the Cat. Some said this, and some said that; but at last a young mouse got up and said he had a proposal to make, which he thought would meet the case. “You will all agree,” said he, “that our chief danger consists in the sly and treacherous manner in which the enemy approaches us. Now, if we could receive some signal of her approach, we could easily escape from her. I venture, therefore, to propose that a small bell be procured, and attached by a ribbon round the neck of the Cat. By this means we should always know when she was about, and could easily retire while she was in the neighbourhood.”

This proposal met with general applause, until an old mouse got up and said: “That is all very well, but who is to bell the Cat?” The mice looked at one another and nobody spoke.

The moral?  "It is one thing to propose, another to execute."
Attributed to Aesop.

Somali Pirates: Slowed by Weather, Ready to Attack

From the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC):

Gulf of Aden/Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). Locally heavier seas in the Gulf of Aden have probably been a factor in keeping down the number of pirating events reported in the IRTC over the past week, but with calmer seas now setting in, we can expect piracy to increase in this area over the coming weeks. On Thursday, 30 December, MV ELLY MAERSK reported a suspicious skiff operating in the central IRTC. The skiff was subsequently disrupted and is almost certainly pirate-related activity. There was no other significant activity to report this week in the Gulf of Aden/IRTC.

Arabian Sea/Greater Somali Basin. The weather in the rest of the Arabian Sea, as well as in both the northern and southern Somali Basin, remains favourable for small boat operations and hence pirate operations in areas not greatly affected by the Northeast (NE) Monsoon. The NE monsoon continues to keep sea states higher along the central, eastern coast of Somalia but has not greatly affected the deeper basin.

The number of pirated merchant and fishing vessels underway conducting piracy operations is assessed to be four mother ship pirate attack groups (or PAGs) underway in the Arabian Sea and greater Somalia Basin during the period. Specifically, a large number of hijacked merchant and fishing vessels are currently underway to conduct piracy operations.
***
This overall high level of piracy activity in the Arabian Sea and greater Somali Basin is expected to continue through next week. Pirates are obviously taking advantage of the more seaworthy ships to extend their range of operations out into regions less impacted by the NE Monsoon. We expect this trend to continue over the coming weeks, particularly during the holiday period through the New Year.

Those pirated vessels used a mother ships? Latest estimated positions:

Jin Chun Tsai 68 - 14°17N 057°46E is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations. 2307UTC 04JAN11

Vega 5 - 01°39S 046°48E is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations. 1100UTC 05JAN11

York - 04°00N 051°58E course 290° speed 6.5 kts as of 1354UTC 05JAN11 is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations.

Shiuh Fu No.1 - 13°05S 056°33E 1045UTC 30DEC10 possibly heading back to the anchorage off Somalia. No current update.

Looking ahead for weather conditions suitable for small boat operations like those conducted by the Somali pirates Saturday's weather as projected Weatheronline.co.uk, looks like a day to be ready for pirate attacks (click on map to enlarge):

Finally, the NATO Alerts map - based on previous attack/incidents:

Can you guess where the key shipping lanes might be from this map?

Transitions

John Donne wrote:

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

While I doubt Donne, former naval warrior, had in mind the firing of ship commanding officers, the message still fits. Fire one CO and the ripples flow throughout the fleet.

I will not debate Admiral Harvey's removal of Captain Honors from command.

What's done is done.

But what lessons to draw from it?

As anyone who has served in the Navy knows, there is a fine line between adequate leaders, awful leaders and great leaders. Sometimes that line gets drawn by circumstance, as was noted in the scene in the the movie In Harm's Way where Captain Torrey is being relieved of command by Admiral Kimmel for hazarding his vessel:

Captain Torrey: My mission was to intercept and engage an enemy of greatly superior strength, sir. I could only take that one way: that my group was expendable.
Admiral Kimmel: I doubt if a court of inquiry will accept that. Captain, you're about to be caught in a vacuum between a peacetime Navy and a wartime Navy. Six months from now, they'll be making admirals out of captains who exhibit some guts. But right now, they're only reacting to the Pearl Harbor disaster, and punishment is order-of-the-day. Of course, you don't have to abide by what a court of inquiry decides. You can ask for general court-martial, get yourself a couple of crack sea lawyers, and make a fight of it.

Sadly, many of us are familiar with that "vacuum" - only from the reverse side - when the transition from a wartime Navy to a "peacetime" Navy occurs. During heavy wartime operations, combat leadership rises to the fore, mission accomplishment matters more than appearances and it is the job of combat leaders to inspire young men and women to exceed what they believed to be their limits to keep them and ships and aircraft on the line and fighting.

Rarely does a pure bureaucrat succeed in that environment. Bean counting takes a back seat to bombs on target. War operations do not take place like shift work at a warehouse or in a sales office or law firm. Real warriors rise to the top, "admirals {get made} out of captains who exhibit some guts."

Ah, but when the war winds down - well, then- out come the bean counters, the staff weenies and those who have disdain for warriors. Peacetime rules (sensible or not) are invoked  and past actions are to be judged by standards that were waived during time of war. Some warriors get shunted aside by the internal politics of the Navy as those internal politics get adjusted to the external politics of society at large.

The transitions can be a little rough. And the warriors? Well, there is a little gap in understanding, as John Spartan learned in Demolition Man, standards change:

Taco Bell Patron: What would you say if I called you a brutish fossil, symbolic of a decayed era gratefully forgotten?
John Spartan: I don't know... thanks?

So out there in the fleet, the ripples spread.

Wannabe admirals are burning old videos from 7th grade in which they uttered some now politically incorrect phrase that may have offended someone today.

It's a time of transition - and as set out in the classic (and long out of print) When in Doubt Mumble: A Bureaucrat's Handbook, "During a change in administration, keep a low profile."

I suppose Captain Honors missed the lesson on "keeping a low profile" long before a change in administration. Let that be a lesson to you.

Somali Pirate Mother Ships

OK, you are the Somali pirate "admiral" - where will you place your pirated mother ship "navy" to be in a position to interdict major sea lanes and thereby maximize the potential for success in pirating shipping? Well, for the Indian Ocean, you might place your ships like this:

A couple of recently pirated vessels have joined the Somali pirate "mother ship" ranks according to the NATO Shipping Centre:

Jin Chun Tsai 68 - 15°32N 059°19E is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations. 0447UTC 04JAN11

Vega 5 - 11°36S 042°07E is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations. 1438UTC 01JAN11

York - 03°30N 054°44E course 270 speed 6.5kts as of 1140UTC 04JAN11 is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations. (red line on map indicates projected course)

Hannibal II - 10°29N 053°05E 1211UTC 03JAN11 is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations.

Shiuh Fu No.1 - 13°05S 056°33E 1045UTC 30DEC10 possibly heading back to the anchorage off Somalia. No current update

Now, if you were a "NATO/EU/CTF 151/Other Anti-Pirate" force admiral, where would you place a few ships to counter the pirates?

UPDATE: (includes the bolded questions above)

From the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (Horn of Africa) report for week of 16 Dec 29 Dec 2010:

Somali Pirates: More Ships Taken; "Mother Ships" on the Move

Reported by EU MSC(HOA) as MV BLIDA pirated in the Indian Ocean:

In the afternoon of 1 January, the MV BLIDA was pirated approximately 150 nautical miles South East of the port of Salalah, Oman.

The 20,586 tonne Bulk Carrier is Algerian flagged and owned. The vessel was on her way to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from Salalah in Oman at the time of the attack. No further details of the attack are known at this stage. MV Blida has a crew of 27 (Algerian, Ukrainian and Philippino) and is carrying a cargo of Clinker. MV BLIDA was registered with MSC(HOA) but had not reported to UKMTO.

MAC(HOA) also confirms the capture of a fishing vessel off Mozambique:

The Mozambican flagged Fishing Vessel VEGA 5, which was previously reported missing by her owner, is now confirmed as being pirated in the waters between Mozambique and Madagascar.

On 31 December, the vessel was spotted near the Mozambique coast, approximately 200 nautical miles South West of the Comoros Islands, heading north. The vessel was towing what looked to be a pirate attack skiff and did not respond to any calls. There has been no further communication with the vessel.

The FV VEGA 5 has a displacement of 140 tonnes and a length of 24 meters. The nationalities of the 14 crew members are unknown.

NATO reports locations of suspected pirate "mother ships" (four of which appear to be active*) as of 3 Jan here:

Alert update 030900ZJAN11

Motivator

Motivator is reported in the area of 10°54N 052°39E 310200ZDEC11

York

York - 03°15N 057°07E as of 030541ZJAN11 is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations.

Golden Wave is alongside the Somali coast. 021030ZJAN11

Hannibal II

Hannibal II - 12°14N 054°54E, course 225, speed 12kts 020804ZJAN11 is assessed as being used by pirates for piracy operations.

Thor Nexus is alongside the Somali coast 022018ZJAN11

EMS River is alongside the Somali coast 030133ZJAN11

Polar is alongside the Somali coast 030720ZJAN11

Shiuh Fu No. 1

Shiuh Fu No.1 (13°05S 056°33E) 301045ZDEC10 possibly heading back to the anchorage off Somalia. No current update

NATO assessment as of 31 December 10:

The number of pirated merchant and fishing vessels underway conducting piracy operations jumped dramatically this week, with as many as seven mother ship pirate attack groups (or PAGs) underway in the Arabian Sea and greater Somalia Basin during the period. Specifically, a large number of hijacked merchant and fishing vessels are currently underway to conduct piracy operations. This list includes MT MOTIVATOR, which is probably returning to the northeast coast of Somalia after pirating MV EMS RIVER, and MV HANNIBAL II which probably remains underway conducting piracy in the northern Somali Basin/Arabian Sea. MV YUAN XIANG may also be underway en route piracy operations in the Arabian Sea. MV IZUMI has returned to the east coast of Somalia following a piracy mission in the Arabian Sea, while MV YORK is underway in the central Somali Basin, probably en route piracy ops east of 60 degrees east longitude in the far east, central basin. MV POLAR is most likely returning to the Somali east coast after pirating Taiwan FV SHIUH FU 1 off Madagascar on 25 December. MV POLAR is now probably located northwest of the Seychelles, while FV SHIUH FU 1 may be continuing piracy operations east of Madagascar. In addition to pirated merchant ship/fishing vessel PAGs, there are probably at least 2-3 Dhow PAGs also active in the Arabian Sea and northern Somali Basin.

FV SHIUH FU 1 was pirated by MV POLAR. Additionally, MV EMS RIVER was pirated by MT MOTIVATOR when pirates embarked in the Arabian Sea just off the south-central coast of Oman on 27 December. MV THOR NEXUS was pirated by a probable Dhow-based PAG on 25 December in the Arabian Sea, vicinity 15 North latitude, 60 degrees East longitude. MV SIGLOO STAR was also approached by a pirate group embarked aboard pirated MV HANNIBAL II in the Arabian Sea southeast of Salalah, Oman, but was disrupted by Turkey Naval Ship GAZIANTEP.
***
This overall high level of piracy activity in the Arabian Sea and greater Somali Basin is expected to continue through next week. Pirates are obviously taking advantage of the more seaworthy ships to extend their range of operations out into regions less impacted by the NE Monsoon. We expect this trend to continue over the coming weeks, particularly during the holiday period through the New Year.

In short, the pirates are effectively evading NATO/EU/CTF 15/Other naval vessels and operating in new areas by evolving their operations. They are inside the OODA loop of the anti-pirate forces.

Pictures are of alleged "active" mother ships. Click on maps to enlarge.


*Highlighted in orange

The Constitution of the United States

As a public service, since it seems some people apparently have found it difficult to find the key document of our government, here is a transcription direct from the National Archives. If some of you find it too hard to understand, you can ask questions in the comments. While I don't claim to be a Constitutional scholar, I can read English, and did take an oath to protect the Constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. 

Here's what I was sworn to protect:

Note: The following text is a transcription of the Constitution in its original form.
Items that are hyperlinked have since been amended or superseded.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

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Article. I.

Section. 1.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section. 2.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section. 3.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section. 4.

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section. 5.

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section. 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section. 7.

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section. 8.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section. 9.

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10.

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

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Article. II.

Section. 1.

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section. 2.

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section. 3.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section. 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

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Article III.

Section. 1.

The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section. 2.

The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;-- between a State and Citizens of another State,--between Citizens of different States,--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section. 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

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Article. IV.

Section. 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section. 2.

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

Section. 3.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section. 4.

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

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Article. V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

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Article. VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

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Article. VII.

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, the Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson Secretary

done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

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The Bill of Rights: A Transcription The Preamble to The Bill of Rights Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution. RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz. ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution. Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights." Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Amendment III No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Amendment V No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Amendment VI In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. Amendment VII In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. Amendment VIII Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. AMENDMENT XI Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795. Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 11. The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. AMENDMENT XII Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratified June 15, 1804. Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. *Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment. AMENDMENT XIII Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6, 1865. Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment. Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XIV Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868. Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment. Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age,* and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State. Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. Section 5. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. *Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment. AMENDMENT XV Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870. Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude-- Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XVI Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913. Note: Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 16. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. AMENDMENT XVII Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913. Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. AMENDMENT XVIII Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by amendment 21. Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. AMENDMENT XIX Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XX Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933. Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3. Section 1. The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin. Section 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified. Section 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them. Section 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article. Section 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission. AMENDMENT XXI Passed by Congress February 20, 1933. Ratified December 5, 1933. Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited. Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. AMENDMENT XXII Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27, 1951. Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term. Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress. AMENDMENT XXIII Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961. Section 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XXIV Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964. Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XXV Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967. Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was affected by the 25th amendment. Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress. Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President. Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President. Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office. AMENDMENT XXVI Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971. Note: Amendment 14, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 1 of the 26th amendment. Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XXVII Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992. No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.