Posted on 10/28/2009 12:32:36 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somali pirates holding two Britons captive aboard a yacht off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation warned Britain not to try to rescue the couple.
The pirates seized the vessel on Friday morning hundreds of miles out to sea near the Seychelles archipelago. They have taken it to the Somali coast with a view to demanding a ransom for their captives.
"If warships surround us, we shall point our guns at the British tourists. They are old and we will take care of them -- that is if we are not attacked," said a pirate called Hassan in the coastal town of Haradheere.
Paul and Rachel Chandler, both in their 50s, left the Seychelles aboard their 38-foot yacht, Lynn Rival, on October 22 and were believed to be sailing toward the east African coast.
Seychelles coastguard planes searched for the yacht after receiving a distress signal on Friday and said naval forces from the NATO alliance, European Union and United States had joined the mission.
Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya-based East Africa Seafarers' Assistance Program said the yacht had been seen some 30 miles south of the coastal town of Hobyo on Tuesday evening.
"Elders in Hobyo want the couple released without conditions, but since the boat has not yet arrived we are waiting to see if the pirates will go by their wishes, or make ransom demands," Mwangura told Reuters.
It was still not clear where the vessel would end up mooring. Hassan said it might sail to Haradheere, a pirate haven where the gunmen who seized the yacht were operating from.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
You picked a bad day to go to sea, Somali pirates.
Map locating the area in which a British couple's yacht has gone missing. Somali pirates confirmed Wednesday they had hijacked a yacht carrying a British couple thought to be Paul Chandler, 58, and his wife Rachel, 55, adding that the two hostages were in good health. (AFP Graphics)
The Brits should just rescue their folks, then turn the coastal town of Haradheere into a glass parking lot.
The scumbags are venturing further and further out from their pigsty. ...This is a shame. One of the few dreams I have left is circumnavigating the planet on a sailboat. I would rather do it without having to kill pirates.
You would think (or at least I would think) 1000 miles off the coast of Somalia is enough for safe passage. Both you and I would be wrong. 1000 miles is roughly 1/2 way from Hawaii to San Diego (1200)
.....Bob
the SBS would probably do this not the SAS
either way they do not go by normal law and if these terrorists are found then God help them
God help them
nah actually screw them
I’m in the “same boat” as you. I plan to follow the cruising life within the next 5 years or so, and piracy has been a big concern. The problem is that yes, you can carry guns on your ship, but you must declare them in every single port you visit, and each country will react in different ways. Most hold your guns and give them back, but some outright confiscate them. Its a big pain - so people go cruising without guns at all, and then crap like this happens. Liberalism will get you killed...
I share that dream. I remember reading stories years back about boats being approached, and brandishing a rifle was enough to get them to leave you alone. Now that they are in the ransom business rather than just stealing stuff, being armed is not much of a defense compared to what they are bringing.
What's wrong with a little fun to break up the monotony?
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Sure would be fun if one of Iran’s missle tests went awry and hit Somalia and cleaned out the pirates.
They should just pay the ransom and when the pirates get in their dingy to leave, immolate them.
Well I suppose given the average life expectancy in Somalia 50 is old.
Actually, I was thinking wouldn’t it be nice if one of Iran’s missile tests went awry and hit Mecca...
Not quite old enough for Ezekiel Emanual to pay a call and give them death counciling...
Good hunting and Good luck to them!
Skip the Red Sea and the Med, and see South Africa.
you better plan on do it without making any landfalls
its illegal to have weapons of any consequence on board in many of the locations you would ordinarily like to visit..
“All hands, standby to commence shore bombardment in 3...2...1”
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