British Couple Hijacked by Somali Pirates

[Team Sergeant]

Somali (muslim) Pirates are still going strong. Raking in the money!




British Couple Hijacked by Somali Pirates
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Somali pirates said Tuesday they have seized a British couple and their yacht in the Indian Ocean during their round-the-world voyage. The couple had been missing for four days.

Fears for the safety of Paul and Rachel Chandler from Tunbridge Wells have been mounting since the emergency beacon aboard their 38-foot yacht the Lynn Rival went off last week.

“We have captured two old British [people], a man and woman in the Indian Ocean, they were on a small boat that we have hijacked,” a pirate called Mohamed Shakir told The Times of London by phone from Haradheere in Somalia.

The pirate added that the two were “healthy and in our hands” but would not say where they would be taken. Ransom demands are likely to follow.

The U.K. Foreign Office said they have been in touch with the couple's family in England, and have contacted the Coast Guard in Seychelles, who continue to monitor the situatiion and search of the area.

The office is reportedly treating the disappearance as a missing persons case, and have two British Navy ships searching the area. It could be 18-24 hours before they have a fix on the yacht.
The Chandlers left the Seychelles on Thursday, heading for Tanzania via the Amirante Islands. Their emergency position-indicating radio beacon was activated on Friday.

Click to view Paul and Rachel Chandler's blog.

Andrew Mwangura, head of the East Africa Seafarers’ Assistance Programme based in the Kenyan port of Mombassa, confirmed that the Lynn Rival was missing with two British crew on board.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the report. We are investigating urgently.”

The couple, both in their late 50s, have been sailing around the world. The last message on their blog, entered shortly before the distress signal was sent, reads simply: “PLEASE RING SARAH”.

The previous entry, written before leaving the Seychelles, was full of preparations for their voyage. “We’ll be at sea for 8 to 12 days, maybe 14 as we are now getting into the period of transition between the south monsoon and north monsoon, so the trade winds will be less reliable and we may get more light winds," they wrote.

In the past two weeks there have been at least five ships seized by pirates in the waters off the Seychelles. Activity has picked up in recent weeks as Monsoon winds and rains have died down.

This year there have been some 174 ships attacked by pirates off Somalia, 36 of which are being held. At least 587 people are being held hostage. Ransoms being paid out in recent months total in the tens of millions of dollars. The pace of hijackings is running ahead of last year.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews

Unless someone goes in and rescues the Chandlers and Lynn Rival this will not end well.

From thier trip logs, it appears they were headed to South Africa. If that was the case, then they would head to the Carribean after leaving Durban or CapeTown. The route, time of year and weather patterns all speak that way.

Finding a 38 foot sloop in the middle of the Indian Ocean is a lucky find. OTOH, I would be willing to guess there is a rat in the Seychelles that alerted someone.

The Chandlers, according to the Times London, "took early retirement to sail the world". For some reason cruising yachts have this odd reputation of being wealthy people. Fact is that is usually far from the truth.
Some have a retirement income, others thier savings, still others work along the way and cruise on a shoestring. My heart and prayers go out to the Chandlers and Lynn Rival to be rescued.

I found this interesting article at noonsite dot com on thier 'piracy pages'

Piracy Around the Seychelles
Created by sue. Last modified on 2009-05-14 21:51:22
Topic: Piracy
Countries: Seychelles


Report sent by Dominique, Wednesday 6 May

The situation has seriously deteriorated in the Seychelles archipelago during the last three weeks.

According to the EU coordination, the Seychelles are surrounded in a 150NM radius around Victoria in ALL directions. Somali mother-ships are pre-positioned North, South, East and West. The latest reported attacks were in the NE one day ago (Tuesday 5 May).

There is no longer any 100% safe exit/entry route. Several boats underway from the Chagos have already altered their course to Mauritius. More than 20 boats planning to sail to Madagascar and Mayotte have cancelled their passage.

On Monday afternoon (4 May) a mother ship and two skiffs were arrested by the Seychelles Navy near Marianne island, 35NM south-east of Victoria! Our own boat and another vessel doing a 90 degree route last Thursday was informed by the navy that one incident took place 50NM ahead of us. We decided to return to Mahe to assess the situation. The next morning, not only one attack were confirmed but two.

Apparently the mother-ships have ventured too far East because of the very quiet sea and have decided to operate far beyond their usual 400NM radius from the Somali coast. According to military inetlligence the pirates on their skiffs are abandonned on the high sea by the mother ships with one mission: catch a boat, this is your return ticket...

A coordination anti-piracy committee was created last Monday in Victoria by a group of 45 yachts and power vessels intending to travel.

[akv]

I recall reading a few years back about the Marines being asked to conduct amphibious landings training away from Camp Pendleton in concern for some ridiculous endangered turtles. I haven't heard anyone advocating Somali Pirates rights yet, so I think this Somali Pirate issue presents Western Naval forces with a golden opportunity to practice live fire exercises on the pirates? In feudal Japan, Samurai could test their blades on "criminals", I guess I'm missing something.

[Anevolution]

Originally Posted by akv

I recall reading a few years back about the Marines being asked to conduct amphibious landings training away from Camp Pendleton in concern for some ridiculous endangered turtles. I haven't heard anyone advocating Somali Pirates rights yet, so I think this Somali Pirate issue presents Western Naval forces with a golden opportunity to practice live fire exercises on the pirates? In feudal Japan, Samurai could test their blades on "criminals", I guess I'm missing something.

Akv,
The turtles have no say in what's going on, if you have ever been part of a amphib op you might have noticed some very uncool things. During the deballasting armed watches are posted in the well decks to shoot any sharks the may wander in in, it's not the sharks fault we're training in their back yard. I've seen sharks shoot, dolphins ran over, fuel spils in the thousands of gallons with no regaurd for the environment. I'm not a green peace or PETA guy, I like chicken and steak as much as every other American male, I just care about the earth. The key word is endangered, that means we have done something to limit there growth or there ability to sustain them selves...

As for these people, I don't feel bad. I deployed to that Ao for 9 months. Time and time again people ignored our recommendation coming to close to the coast, traveling off the beaten path to "explore". If you don't hang out in the worst part of town why hang out in the worst part of the world? You leave your house and leave all common sence at home. This is not a perfect world their are bad people are out their and wheather or not you choose to protect yourself is up to you. I may be a bit naive but at what point do you take responsibility for youselves? I don't know when it happened but who said you have the right to travel around the world and go where you please? If you hear about people being kidnapped and pirate activity what makes you think it can't happen to you?
Just my .02

V/r
Anevolution

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Anevolution

Akv,
The turtles have no say in what's going on, if you have ever been part of a anfib op you might have noticed some very uncool things. Durning the deballasting armed watches are posted in the well decks to shoot any sharks the may wonder in in, it's not the sharks fault were training in there back yard. I've seen sharks shoot, dolphins ran over, fuel spils in the thousands of gallons with no regaurd for the environment. I'm not a green peace or peta guy, I like chicken and stake as much as every other american male, I just care about the earth. The key word is endangered, that means we have done something to limit there growth or there ability to sustain them selves...

As for these people, I don't feel bad. I deployed to that Ao for 9 months. Time and time again people ignored our recommendation coming to close to the cost, traveling off the beaten path to "explore". If you don't hang out in the worst part of town why hang out in the worst part of the world? You leave your house and leave all common since at home. This is not a perfect world there are bad people are out there and weather or not you choose to protect yourself is up to you. I may be a bit neive but at what point do you take responsibility for youself? I don't know when it happened but who said you have the right to travel around the world and go where you please? If you hear about people being kidnapped and pirate activity what makes you think it can't happen to you?
Just my .02

V/r
Anevolution

Anevolution:

Your spelling is making my head hurt.

Please use spellcheck, and verify that you are using the correct spellings of words like amphib, during, wander, we're, their, shot, spills, regard, Greenpeace, PETA, steak, American, their, their, themselves, too, coast, sense, whether, naive.

This adversely affects the readability of your posts, creates confusion or misinterpretations, and leads to poor impressions of your work ethic, writing skills, and intelligence.

TR

[Richard]

Your spelling is making my head hurt.

Ditto!

A word or two misspelled is one thing - however - only a word or two correctly spelled is another matter. I had to reread it a couple of times because I kept losing my place while looking to see if you had misspelled "A" or "I."

Richard's $.02

[akv]

Anevolution,

I've never met a loquacious turtle, except possibly at a Duke/Maryland game. I don't think anyone wants to kill things needlessly, but if animals are killed to ensure safety or as a byproduct of our troops receiving the best possible training for their mission so be it, this shouldn't even be an issue.

The turtles might not have a say, but apparently someone motivated General Hanlon the commanding General of Camp Pendleton to write an 18 page report to the Armed Services Commitee back in 2001. Read through it and it's pretty clear the military has had to alter it's focus from the mission of our defense to addressing all sorts of silly IMHO environmental concerns.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...r/010320eh.pdf

Finally I agree with you, I never said let's waste resources on saving people who willingly go into bad areas, instead I asked why we don't use Somali Pirates as cannon fodder for training our Navy.

I wish you the best in your Military Career.

-AKV

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by akv

I don't think anyone wants to kill things needlessly, but if animals are killed to ensure safety or as a byproduct of our troops receiving the best possible training for their mission so be it, this shouldn't even be an issue.

¡From one Cal grad to another, I am absolutely shocked--SHOCKED--that you would take this position! Don't you know that there are trees and animals that need saving? <<LINK>> Any more talk like this, I'm going to recommend that you be required to stand in front of Sather Gate while reading (aloud) essays by Susan Sontag in Esperanto. The event will be videotaped as part of a project for PACS 125AC.

More seriously, I hope that the Lynn Rival and her crew are found and returned to safety.

And I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is something to be said for the continuing relevance of battleships.

Just my $0.02.

[LongWire]

Originally Posted by Anevolution

I've seen sharks shoot

That would be quite the feat!!! Were they good at it?? What kind of weapon system was it?? Were the weapons modified, to accommodate the lack of a shark thumb, and trigger finger??

Seriously though.............This is becoming a problem with english typer's globally.

Their; possessive adjective............The weapon was theirs.

There; adverb:..........It's over there. I am never going there. We were there.

They're; contraction of they and are:.................They're going to drive their vehicle there!!!!!!!


I'll be here all week.

[Red Flag 1]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Anevolution:

Your spelling is making my head hurt.

Please use spellcheck, and verify that you are using the correct spellings of words like amphib, during, wander, we're, their, shot, spills, regard, Greenpeace, PETA, steak, American, their, their, themselves, too, coast, sense, whether, naive.

This adversely affects the readability of your posts, creates confusion or misinterpretations, and leads to poor impressions of your work ethic, writing skills, and intelligence.

TR

Spelling error noted in bio as well.

Must go for now, my teeth itch.

RF 1

[Plutarch]

These type of headlines make me question the sanity of parents who would let their sixteen year old daughter sail off alone.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009...ound-the-world


"16-year-old Australian begins solo round-the-world yacht voyage

Jessica Watson sets off on bid to break world record amid concern about her age

* Peter Walker and agencies
* guardian.co.uk, Sunday 18 October 2009 12.01 BST

Jessica Watson

Jessica Watson sets sail on her yacht Ella's Pink Lady in Sydney. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

A 16-year-old Australian girl sailed her yacht out of Sydney harbour today, beginning an attempt to become the youngest person to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe unassisted, despite concerns over her age and expertise.

If all goes to plan, Jessica Watson will spend the next eight months alone on board her 10-metre vessel, Ella's Pink Lady, navigating 28,000 miles through some of the world's most dangerous seas.

Around 100 boats congregated under grey skies in the harbour to see her off. Watson did not speak to reporters before she left, but her mother, Julie, posted an update on the solo sailor's blog. "I know you are all anxious to hear from Jess, but she's a little preoccupied on her first day, so she asked me to post a quick note to let everyone know that the departure went well this morning," she wrote.

While Watson's family insist the teenager is a sufficiently skilled and experienced sailor, with expertise in navigation, electronics and maritime safety, her plan has sparked a debate in Australia about whether someone so young is ready for such a challenge. There was further concern after Watson's yacht collided with a 63,000-tonne Chinese cargo ship as she sailed towards Sydney last month.

Some of Australia's most experienced sailors, and the government of Watson's home state, Queensland, have urged her not to go ahead with the voyage. Watson will be in contact with her family and support team via radio and email, as well as updating her blog.

"I think a lot of Australians are nervous for Jessica. I'm nervous for her," the country's deputy prime minister, Julia Gillard, told Nine Network TV. "But my words at this stage, given that she's determined to go, would be to wish her the best of luck and to urge her to keep safe."

A British 17-year-old, Mike Perham, became the youngest solo round-the-world sailor in August following a nine-month voyage, although a stop for repairs en route meant his trip did not count as unassisted. The youngest sailor to complete the voyage unassisted is another Australian, Jesse Martin, who was 18 when he completed it in 1999.

In August a Dutch court ordered that a 13-year-old girl, Laura Dekker, should be put into state care following plans for her to attempt a solo round-the-world sailing."

[The Reaper]

Doesn't matter how good you are.

You have to sleep sometime, and then who is on watch?

TR

[Slantwire]

Originally Posted by LongWire

That would be quite the feat!!! Were they good at it?? What kind of weapon system was it?? Were the weapons modified, to accommodate the lack of a shark thumb, and trigger finger??

Obviously head-mounted lasers. The firing mechanism is less obvious. A paddle to be squeezed by fins? A lever to bite? Electrical triggering via neural implants?

Throw me a frigging bone here, people!

[ES 96]

Originally Posted by Plutarch

These type of headlines make me question the sanity of parents who would let their sixteen year old daughter sail off alone.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009...ound-the-world

"16-year-old Australian begins solo round-the-world yacht voyage"

Jessica Watson sets off on bid to break world record amid concern about her age

Oh, it's not like her boat won't stand out if it goes anywhere near Somalia and the AO of the pirates based there...

http://sailboats.wordpress.com/2009/...ca-watson-301/

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Doesn't matter how good you are.

You have to sleep sometime, and then who is on watch?

TR

Cruising boats routinely go into 'watches' when passagemaking.

Our standard was 6pm to midnight, 12 to 6am. Then from 6am to 6pm 3 hrs on and 3 hrs off. I always took the midnight shift as I am a nightowl. We did not deviate from out hours on and off. Someone was always at the helm, even when OTTO was running the boat. Otto = autopilot.

The sailing email lists are all atwitter over this incident. We are a pretty judgemental lot. Not a whole lot of sympathy in this particular case as the couple. Apparently though long time cruisers, they ignored the advice they were given by NATO advisors. OH well, the sea is a harsh lady., she doesn't suffer fools and idiots long. The lucky ones survive and become dirt dwellers, the rest.... shrug...

Re Jessica: I reared my kids on boats. They could swim before they could walk.
My dtrs first 'car' had a Mercury 150hp attached to the stern. Kids there get boats before wheels. That does not mean I would have allowed her to attempt the stuff that Robin Graham and a few other youngsters have done. The only case I have approved was the dad who singlehanded with his son on another boat while the kid did a transatlantic crossing.
By her first mistake that cost her a mast, Jessica has proven she is not ready to do this trip, if she is ever. At least a pink boat won't be hard for the Coasties to find. I do not believe that teenagers have the experience or judgement to handle offshore situations they find themselves in by themselves. OTOH, there are some adults that never should be allowed to leave the dock. YMMV
AM