Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Coltrane's Letter of Marque extended for another Year
Regular resupply now provided at neutral port facilities
Ur Bahra, Kafrestan, Barmenia
July 4, 5092


Coltrane's Flagship, The KMS Marcus 1, at dock in Barmenistan in April

Captain James Coltrane's mission has been extended another year, according to the Foreign Minister's office. "Kalistan's cargo vessel is still detained in Deltaria, and Coltrane continues to take prizes in the Majatran," said MFA spokeswoman Julia Powers. "We are not satisfied that our grievances in the Sea have been adequately addressed, and so Coltrane will remain at sea until such time that he is either no longer needed or able to do so."

Coltrane's fleet has left a string of disasters and captures throughout the Majatran Sea since being authorized to take prizes nine months ago. While leaving neutral shipping to travel unmolested on the seas, ships going to or from Deltaria have been stopped and boarded by those under Coltrane's command with a respectable frequency. Most are allowed to carry on after a short delay, but a few have been turned back to Deltaria, with no loss of life.

"We have had a handful of incidents," said Coltrane, who was interviewed in Barmenistan in April. "Since November, we have had to engage more than three dozen ships who have ignored our signals at sea, or who have fired on our crew. We've seized 5 ships, for a total of 210,000 tonnes which have been sailed back to Kalistan. We've also seized a handful of private vessels flying Deltarian colors, which we have either incorporated into our fleet, or sold off at local neutral ports. In the process, we have lost 3 dhows, 4 LAFAs, and 16 sailors overall." Coltrane then added with a smile, "We have also gained a small tanker and a tramp freighter, both of whose Deltarian crews surrendered their ships to us specifically to join us."

Coltrane noted that he claimed the tanker himself, and made it his flagship. "We renamed her the Marcus 1, after good old Marcus Creighton," said Coltrane. "Having a tanker available to us is a great boon: The Fleet now can stay at sea longer without having to return to port to refuel as often. And the addition of the Tramp Freighter increases our supply storage capacity."

Coltrane's fleet has received resupply twice from Kalistan, and the venture's backers, most of whom stayed with the venture after the fleet was converted from a trade mission to an interdiction mission because of the promise of ongoing residual income from prize taking, have sent significant quantities of food, clothing, armaments and ammo, and several replacement LAFAs for the ones that were sunk. Both times, resupply happened in neutral ports. "Our favorite Liberty Port is Ur Bahra, Barmenistan. Barmenia is a fantastic state for privateers: They haven't had a functioning government for more than 20 years. Plus they are not signatories to the Law of the Seas, and so therefore do not feel compelled to worry themselves too much about what we do. We pay a small docking fee to local officials, who throw the doors of the city open for us. We pay taxes on the prizes and the cargo we sell in port, and buy from local merchants. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. We have even taken on some sailors from Barmenistan, who have served honorably to the man and woman."

The news that Deltaria has decided to include helicopters in its efforts to prevent Coltrane's efforts to pressure Deltaria to return stolen Kalistani property, and the decision of the Deltarian government to step up its defensive capability at sea is seen as a problem for the future by Coltrane. "They may want to, but they haven't yet. In the meanwhile, all Deltarian ships are fair game, and if Deltaria wants to increase their defense, they better get on it. Because we will continue to take Deltarian ships until they return the Silver Star and all its confiscated cargo."

Coltrane will have plenty of opportunity as the term of his Letter of Marque has been extended until November 5093, at least.