More idiots sail into pirate infested waters

[chiefsnorth]

Pirate: Captive Danes will die if rescue attempted

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Any attempt to rescue a Danish family captured by pirates in the Indian Ocean will result their deaths — just like the four American sailors slain by their captors last week, a Somali pirate warned Tuesday.

Maritime experts said the Danes — a couple with three teenage children aged 12 to 16 — placed themselves in grave danger by sailing into pirate-infested waters off Somalia's lawless coast despite warnings from naval forces struggling to police the area.

The family was captured Thursday by pirates along with two Danish adult crew members after sending a distress signal from their sailboat, the Danish government said, adding it was doing "everything in our power" to help them.

Abdullahi Mohamed, a pirate who told The Associated Press he has ties to the gang holding the Danish family, said they will be killed if any rescue operation was carried out. He specifically referred to the killings last week of four American hostages captured by pirates on their yacht.

Mohamed has provided reliable information to AP in the past on piracy.

The American deaths were a game-changer in the world of piracy. Somali pirates have captured hundreds of ships and thousands of crew members over the years — right now they have 660 hostages and some 30 vessels. But virtually all the hostages would be released unharmed after pirates negotiated multimillion-dollar ransoms for them and their ships.

Companies paid the ransoms with insurance money and rarely attempted rescue missions to ensure the safety of their employees. If a ship's owner was unable to pay the amount demanded, pirates would keep the boat and use it to stalk other vessels on the high seas.

Mohamed said pirates were discussing how much ransom to demand for the Danish hostages, and added that investors backing the pirate gang were angling for a large sum.

A British sailing couple was released in November after more than a year in captivity. Reports varied how much was paid for their release, but it was believed to be around $1 million. Pirates are now commanding roughly $5 million per hijacked ship.

The Danish family knew about the hijacking of the American yacht, according to a travel blog in which they chronicled their round-the-world journey that began in 2009. It was not clear, however, if they knew about the Americans' deaths.

"Of course, we talked quite a lot about it (the American hijacking) but this is far over thousands of kilometers (miles) away and the Arabian Sea that we sail in is the size of Europe," the family said a Feb. 20 posting on ING jordenrundt.info. ING is the name of their boat.
Two days later, the Americans were killed.

The Danish family's last posting on Feb. 23 — a day before their own hijacking — only said their journey was uneventful and "we have NOT been boarded by pirates."

The blog identified the family as Jan Quist Johansen, his wife Birgit Marie Johansen, their sons Rune and Hjalte and their daughter Naja. They are from Kalundborg, 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of Copenhagen.

The chairman of the Kalundborg yacht club, Ole Meridin Petersen, confirmed their names to The Associated Press. He called them "experienced sailors" and said they were planning to enter the Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal and get home by August.

That route would take the family through the Gulf of Aden, one of the most dangerous waterways in the world in terms of piracy.

The Johansens had been sending daily position and status updates by e-mail since Feb. 17 to the British Royal Navy's UK Maritime Trade Operations, which acts as a liaison for ships traveling through waters threatened by pirates, said Wing Cmdr. Paddy O'Kennedy, a spokesman for the European Union's anti-piracy force.

He said the EU Naval Force had written an open letter to European governments, yachting organizations and magazines warning of the dangers of sailing through the area threatened by pirates.

"We did everything we possibly could to advise the yachting fraternity of the danger," O'Kennedy said. "They (the family) were aware of the risks they were about to take."

The EU force and warships from other nations do not provide escorts for individual ships, although they do patrol a maritime corridor that ships are urged to stick to. Reporting a daily position, like the Johansens did, might give a warship a slightly quicker reaction time but even then that doesn't mean help could reach the boat under attack in time, he said.

"Even traveling in groups is not a protection for yachts. It's just a bigger target for the pirates," O'Kennedy said. "When you're on a yacht, it can take seconds from when (pirates) are seen to when they're on board."
Per Gullestrup, head of Danish shipowner Clipper, said it was "totally insane" for a yacht to sail on its own into waters where much bigger commercial ships often travel in convoys and hire armed guards for protection against pirates.

"They sailed right into the pirates' arms," said Gullestrup, whose company owns a cargo ship that was held by Somali pirates for more than two months in 2009.

Since 2008, there have been at least nine hijackings of private yachts in the region, said Hans Tino Hansen, who runs a company specializing in maritime security.

"Sailing boats and small private yachts are very difficult or impossible to secure against pirate attacks due to their low speed and low freeboard," Hansen said.

In the blog, family members wrote that they saw counter-piracy patrol planes flying overhead. "It is reassuring that they look after us," a Feb. 20 post said. A day earlier, the family blogged they had drawn up "a piracy plan for who does what if we are attacked."

Somali pirates have extended their range east and south after increased naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden.
The pirates have rarely captured families and children, but a 3-year-old boy was aboard a French yacht seized in 2009. French navy commandos attempted a rescue, but two pirates and the boy's father were killed in the operation. Four French citizens were freed, including the child.

Denmark's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday advised citizens against traveling in sailboats in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the northwestern Indian Ocean.

[BigMeatballDave]

JFC Are wealthy people just stupid?

[chiefsnorth]

JFC Are wealthy people just stupid?

If stupid people were all given yachts, my commute would be a lot easier!

[Bump]

why would you sail into those waters without several mounted .50 cal machine guns on your boat? I'd go in there Rambo style if I were rich. Actually I would just stay away, but if I had to...

[Scorp]

Well........bye!

[Mr. Laz]

with all the satellite tech etc we have now how are these pirates not dead?

[KCUnited]

Waiting for Captain Stabbin' to sail in there and pound some Somali ass.

[Rain Man]

Just out of curiosity, how do small boats and yachts transit the Suez Canal or Panama Canal? It seems like it would be expensive and time-consuming to fill and empty locks. Do they have to pay for that, or is it free? It seems to me like ships would be paying for it.

Do they maybe have a run once a day for small boats where a whole bunch of them crowd in together and transit as a group, and split the cost?

I confess that I have no knowledge at all about the business of operating a large canal.

[Frazod]

Sometimes being a fucktard is fatal.

[jd1020]

why would you sail into those waters without several mounted .50 cal machine guns on your boat? I'd go in there Rambo style if I were rich. Actually I would just stay away, but if I had to...

Seems a bit overkill when all you need is a flare gun.

[Valiant]

with all the satellite tech etc we have now how are these pirates not dead?

Because then the story would be about evil america. Overstepping its bounds and interfering with other countries. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

Personally I would sink every pirate ship in the water then move closer and shell the pirate ports.

[Lonewolf Ed]

I am baffled why the Danes sailed their yacht where the pirates operate. They are a generally well informed people and know that the pirates take captives regardless of where they are from. Now, will the Danish government show any backbone and force the pirates to release them or will they puss out and pay? Denmark is a good ally of the USA, though they are small, but I am hoping they show some strength in the matter and try to handle it on their own, or at least assist in a NATO venture to free the people.

I'm sure it will be a topic of discussion when I get over to Denmark in May.

[Sofa King]

They seriously need to fuck with someone bad. I'm thinking they should hijack some North Korean soldiers or something. perhaps even chinese or russian would do.

[Over-Head]

JFC Are wealthy people just stupid? for the most part:rolleyes:

[Dartgod]

Perhaps we could convince the Phelps clan to take a cruise over there.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rooster]

Perhaps we could convince the Phelps clan to take a cruise over there.
Posted via Mobile Device

This is a great idea. God Hates Pirates!!! It would actually make for great TV. :thumb:

[alnorth]

Screw them. Piracy will not stop unless we adopt a very cold-blooded policy.

If I were in charge with naval forces in the area, I would not allow ransoms to be paid. As soon as a boat is hijacked, I immediately send the navy after them, guns ready. The only communications made would be to ascertain whether pirates have seized the vessel. The primary objective would be to kill every single person on board who is firing back at the navy as quickly as possible, without too much concern for innocent people on board. If there's no safe way to board the ship, then just blow it up.

Anyone who surrenders is taken alive, and any prisoners who are later determined to be pirates are immediately executed in the open sea without a trial. If any innocent survivors are identified and freed, great but that is a very low priority.

Once pirates fail to collect ransoms and only find death 100% of the time, every time at the hands of international navies, then they will stop. It will require a lot of innocent people to be killed by pirates and friendly fire while they realize this, but thats fine.

If you are sailing a huge tanker or transport ship, then you had better build a solid panic room that is impossible for pirates to enter when you seal yourselves in, with food and equipment inside that allows you to remotely disable the ship and call for help. (One tanker actually did something like this, they intentionally destroyed their own engine, called for help, then ran into a panic room. The pirates couldn't take hostages before help came)

[CrazyPhuD]

I dunno the fact that the people died puts a downer on it. But 4 for 4 dead pirates and 15 captured isn't a terrible outcome.

[CrazyPhuD]

Screw them. Piracy will not stop unless we adopt a very cold-blooded policy.

If I were in charge with naval forces in the area, I would not allow ransoms to be paid. As soon as a boat is hijacked, I immediately send the navy after them, guns ready. The only communications made would be to ascertain whether pirates have seized the vessel. The primary objective would be to kill every single person on board who is firing back at the navy as quickly as possible, without undue concerns for innocent people on board. If there's no safe way to board the ship, then just blow it up.

Anyone who surrenders is taken alive, and any prisoners who are later determined to be pirates are immediately executed in the open sea without a trial. If any innocent survivors are identified and freed, great but that is a very low priority.

Once pirates fail to collect ransoms and only find death 100% of the time, every time at the hands of international navies, then they will stop. It will require a lot of innocent people to be killed by pirates and friendly fire while they realize this, but thats fine.

Neutron bombs would also address the somali issue.

[Frazod]

Neutron bombs would also address the somali issue.

Neutron bombs would effectively address all sorts of issues in the middle east.

[The Franchise]

Neutron bombs would also address the somali issue.

Cruise missles. We don't even have to be close to take them out.

[Sofa King]

Neutron bombs would effectively address all sorts of issues in the middle east.


http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/assets_c/2009/01/brilliant-thumb-500x375.jpg

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

Just out of curiosity, how do small boats and yachts transit the Suez Canal or Panama Canal? It seems like it would be expensive and time-consuming to fill and empty locks. Do they have to pay for that, or is it free? It seems to me like ships would be paying for it.

Do they maybe have a run once a day for small boats where a whole bunch of them crowd in together and transit as a group, and split the cost?

I confess that I have no knowledge at all about the business of operating a large canal.

It is $1500 for a 100' yacht to pass thru the Panama Canal and $4000 to use the Suez canal.

Expensive but considerbly easier then detouring around an entire continent.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061118081003AAL9jCB

[JohninGpt]

They seriously need to **** with someone bad. I'm thinking they should hijack some North Korean soldiers or something. perhaps even chinese or russian would do.

A platoon of SEALs on a sailboat would be entertaining.

[Sofa King]

http://www.defense.gov/transformation/images/photos/2006-07/Hi-Res/060706-N-6597H-312.jpg

[Sofa King]

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2010/05/army_guns_2a.jpg

[Sofa King]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/4/2010/05/7baa71fce2a1fd0dbb5f77d7af90d632/original.jpg

[Frazod]

A platoon of SEALs on a sailboat would be entertaining.

Seriously, at the very least, some bait ships would be a great idea.

[Dartgod]

It is $1500 for a 100' yacht to pass thru the Panama Canal and $4000 to use the Suez canal.

Expensive but considerbly easier then detouring around an entire continent.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061118081003AAL9jCB

It's not expensive for the guy that can afford a 100' yacht.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Donger]

Just out of curiosity, how do small boats and yachts transit the Suez Canal or Panama Canal? It seems like it would be expensive and time-consuming to fill and empty locks. Do they have to pay for that, or is it free? It seems to me like ships would be paying for it.

Do they maybe have a run once a day for small boats where a whole bunch of them crowd in together and transit as a group, and split the cost?

I confess that I have no knowledge at all about the business of operating a large canal.

I don't know how much the transit fee is for a yacht, but supertankers are charged something obscene like $100Ks for passage.

[Radar Chief]

Hog Farmer originally posted this but it’s time has come.

http://www.tothepointnews.com/content/view/3617/85/

[Chief Chief]

"They (the family) were aware of the risks they were about to take."

[T]he family blogged they had drawn up "a piracy plan for who does what if we are attacked."


Since the family was aware of the risks, then the responsibility for their situation is totally on them. As such, no government should expend any resources, militarily or financially, to rescue them.

The family's piracy plan in case of attack:
Dad's, Mom's, and kids' "Do List": Kiss your own ass goodbye!

[Skyy God]

Greg McElroy would have avoided the area altogether.

[MOhillbilly]

bait boat full of our most violent convicts. Armed with shanks & bats.

[DTLB58]

Hog Farmer originally posted this but it’s time has come.

http://www.tothepointnews.com/content/view/3617/85/

Now, THAT, sounds like a vacation! :thumb:

[Over-Head]

Them pirates didn't look so bad when Stalone took out 4 of em in "Rambo"
WITH only a hand gun
AFTER they had borded his little si-pan LMAO

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Screw them. Piracy will not stop unless we adopt a very cold-blooded policy.

If I were in charge with naval forces in the area, I would not allow ransoms to be paid. As soon as a boat is hijacked, I immediately send the navy after them, guns ready. The only communications made would be to ascertain whether pirates have seized the vessel. The primary objective would be to kill every single person on board who is firing back at the navy as quickly as possible, without too much concern for innocent people on board. If there's no safe way to board the ship, then just blow it up.

Anyone who surrenders is taken alive, and any prisoners who are later determined to be pirates are immediately executed in the open sea without a trial. If any innocent survivors are identified and freed, great but that is a very low priority.

Once pirates fail to collect ransoms and only find death 100% of the time, every time at the hands of international navies, then they will stop. It will require a lot of innocent people to be killed by pirates and friendly fire while they realize this, but thats fine.

If you are sailing a huge tanker or transport ship, then you had better build a solid panic room that is impossible for pirates to enter when you seal yourselves in, with food and equipment inside that allows you to remotely disable the ship and call for help. (One tanker actually did something like this, they intentionally destroyed their own engine, called for help, then ran into a panic room. The pirates couldn't take hostages before help came)

I agree. If people are dumb enough to sail into those waters, well, sorry about your luck. We don't negotiate with terrorists, and we shouldn't negotiate with idiots. I can't believe this has even gotten as big as it has. Anyone want to move to Somalia? Sounds like an inexpensive business venture.

[Chiefspants]

They seriously need to **** with someone bad. I'm thinking they should hijack some North Korean soldiers or something. perhaps even chinese or russian would do.

lol, a few unfortunate pirates actually did take a Russian Ship a while back. The Russians kindly responded by taking the pirates to the middle of the freaking ocean and then wishing them on their way.

[Dylan]

Are the Somalis a little behind? Pirates are so, like, 300 years ago.

[Rain Man]

Are the Somalis a little behind? Pirates are so, like, 300 years ago.

Worse, they're wearing bell bottoms.

[Rain Man]

It is $1500 for a 100' yacht to pass thru the Panama Canal and $4000 to use the Suez canal.

Expensive but considerbly easier then detouring around an entire continent.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061118081003AAL9jCB


That's not that bad, though Panama seems like a bargain compared to Suez.

[Rain Man]

bait boat full of our most violent convicts. Armed with shanks & bats.

One year off their sentence for every ear they bring in? Might as well make it capitalistic.

[Rain Man]

I don't know how much the transit fee is for a yacht, but supertankers are charged something obscene like $100Ks for passage.


I guess economically speaking it makes sense for the canal to charge $1 less than the cost of going around the continent.


Granted, the upfront cost of a canal is large, but after the first 100 years of operation it seems like the profits would be huge. Maybe we should consider building one here in Colorado.

[Dylan]

Has anyone noticed that the Russians haven't had any problems since the pirates they captured 'disappeared'?

The 10 pirates were captured last week after seizing a Russian oil tanker but were then unexpectedly released, with Russian officials saying there was insufficient legal basis to keep them in detention and that they would be too expensive to feed.

"According to the latest information, the pirates who seized the Moscow University oil tanker failed to reach the shore. Evidently, they have all died," the high-ranking source was quoted as saying by Russia's official news agencies.

The source said that radio signals from the boat stopped just one hour after it had been set free by the Russian navy. No details were given over the manner in which they could have lost their lives.



http://planetsmilies.net/not-tagged-smiley-3587.gif

Source: The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/piracy/7713375/Somali-pirates-captured-and-released-by-Russian-navy-have-died.html

[Simply Red]

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2010/05/army_guns_2a.jpg

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking, almost PRECISELY!!!! - YOU BRO - are my brother.

[Dylan]

We need the Russian Navy to deal with these guys. The US Navy is too politically hand tied to do what needs to be done -- Obama would probably bow to the pirates and apologize. http://forums.ronin-studios.com/images/smilies/approval-tapedshut.gif

[alnorth]

Has anyone noticed that the Russians haven't had any problems since the pirates they captured 'disappeared'?



http://planetsmilies.net/not-tagged-smiley-3587.gif

Source: The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/piracy/7713375/Somali-pirates-captured-and-released-by-Russian-navy-have-died.html

This were put in an inflatable boat hundreds of miles from shore. I doubt they survived.

[Rain Man]

We need the Russian Navy to deal with these guys. The US Navy is too politically hand tied to do what needs to be done -- Obama would probably bow to the pirates and apologize. http://forums.ronin-studios.com/images/smilies/approval-tapedshut.gif


I kind of suspect that there's a lot of ammo being expended "in training exercises" by the U.S. Navy in that area.

[MadMax]

I agree. If people are dumb enough to sail into those waters, well, sorry about your luck. We don't negotiate with terrorists, and we shouldn't negotiate with idiots. I can't believe this has even gotten as big as it has. Anyone want to move to Somalia? Sounds like an inexpensive business venture.



I'm thinkin carpet bombing, then maybe a MOAB would do the trick...:thumb:

[el borracho]

Can anyone name anything remotely positive that happens on that continent? Seriously, how did such an immense land mass turn into such a toilet?

[suzzer99]

Africa: not WINNING :(

[LiveSteam]

We need the Russian Navy to deal with these guys. The US Navy is too politically hand tied to do what needs to be done -- Obama would probably bow to the pirates and apologize. http://forums.ronin-studios.com/images/smilies/approval-tapedshut.gif
Im not sure the Russian really have a Navy anymore.

[TimeForWasp]

This were put in an inflatable boat hundreds of miles from shore. I doubt they survived.

I'm sure the russians inpected the boat to ensure the holes in the bottom were clean and flowing freely.

[Chiefspants]

We need the Russian Navy to deal with these guys. The US Navy is too politically hand tied to do what needs to be done -- Obama would probably bow to the pirates and apologize. http://forums.ronin-studios.com/images/smilies/approval-tapedshut.gif
I'm pretty sure the US killed three pirates when we rescued that captured vessel last april.

[crazycoffey]

We need the Russian Navy to deal with these guys. The US Navy is too politically hand tied to do what needs to be done -- Obama would probably bow to the pirates and apologize. http://forums.ronin-studios.com/images/smilies/approval-tapedshut.gif

this made me laugh, sadly the obama part is probably true.

I kind of suspect that there's a lot of ammo being expended "in training exercises" by the U.S. Navy in that area.

we can only hope so...

[Dylan]

I kind of suspect that there's a lot of ammo being expended "in training exercises" by the U.S. Navy in that area.

:D

Somali pirates hijacked a Russian tanker carrying crude oil worth $52 million a crew of 23. As a result, the Russian Navy special forces stormed the tanker capturing 10 pirates and killing one. Apparently, political correctness hasn't come to Russia. The Russians rarely arrest terrorist suspects, instead preferring to kill them on the spot.

Russian media believe that the pirates were killed considering, that signals from the boat stopped an hour after release. In contrast, not a single Russian ship has been attacked by pirates since...

President Dmitry Medvedev said the raid was "sharp, professional and quick" and ordered medals for all those involved in the rescue.
LMAO

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/piracy/7713375/Somali-pirates-captured-and-released-by-Russian-navy-have-died.html

[Dylan]

Don't let me get started on Somali Pirates who killed 4 Americans -- The U.S. special forces team may need to sharpen their night-time killing skills. J.C. unless you have ALL of the pirates in a cross-hair, don't shoot !

I gotta go to bed ...

[Dylan]

This were put in an inflatable boat hundreds of miles from shore. I doubt they survived.

They didn't have time to drown...http://www.underlinfamily.com/guestbook/smileys/happy.gif

[Aries Walker]

Seriously, at the very least, some bait ships would be a great idea.
That's what I've been saying. I see no down side to a dummy freighter with a modified cargo hold full of very unforgiving Marines and an Apache Longbow. The cost would be low, the public visibility high, and the message clear - pirates would have to start wondering about every single freighter they come across.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Just out of curiosity, how do small boats and yachts transit the Suez Canal or Panama Canal? It seems like it would be expensive and time-consuming to fill and empty locks. Do they have to pay for that, or is it free? It seems to me like ships would be paying for it.

Do they maybe have a run once a day for small boats where a whole bunch of them crowd in together and transit as a group, and split the cost?

I confess that I have no knowledge at all about the business of operating a large canal.



I knew this chick that had a large canal. She operated it way too much.

[Al Bundy]

I knew this chick that had a large canal. She operated it way too much.

You know my ex, too?

[R8RFAN]

why would you sail into those waters without several mounted .50 cal machine guns on your boat? I'd go in there Rambo style if I were rich. Actually I would just stay away, but if I had to...

Fire at them and get a RPG in return

Too much money on those ships to risk one sinking.

[J Diddy]

I guess economically speaking it makes sense for the canal to charge $1 less than the cost of going around the continent.


Granted, the upfront cost of a canal is large, but after the first 100 years of operation it seems like the profits would be huge. Maybe we should consider building one here in Colorado.

In the middle of Invesco field sounds like a great place to start.

[Frazod]

That's what I've been saying. I see no down side to a dummy freighter with a modified cargo hold full of very unforgiving Marines and an Apache Longbow. The cost would be low, the public visibility high, and the message clear - pirates would have to start wondering about every single freighter they come across.

It wouldn't even have to be a Navy operation - you'd think it would be worth it to some of these companies who have been victimized to simply hire a group of mercs. It's not like you need a carrier task force to deal with a handful of boney douchebags on a speedboat. And they wouldn't be hamstrung by all that human rights bullshit we have to deal with.

[R8RFAN]

It wouldn't even have to be a Navy operation - you'd think it would be worth it to some of these companies who have been victimized to simply hire a group of mercs. It's not like you need a carrier task force to deal with a handful of boney douchebags on a speedboat. And they wouldn't be hamstrung by all that human rights bullshit we have to deal with.

what are ya going to do when they start putting land mines in the water or figuring out how to put a torpedo of some sort on their little speed boats?

[Frazod]

what are ya going to do when they start putting land mines in the water or figuring out how to put a torpedo of some sort on their little speed boats?

You're barking up the wrong tree here. If it was up to me the entire coastline would be a bombed out wasteland right now.

[Chiefnj2]

The game needs some rules. Right now the game is that the shipping companies and the insurance companies take calculated risks to sail in those waters. If the ship is taken they pay the money, get the ship and crew back.

But, when you start hijacking private yachts, IMO, the rules change. That shouldn't be allowed and any attempts should be met with a half dozen tomahawks aimed at the ports and gassing stations.

[mesmith31]

I think that there is a clear solution to the Somali Pirate problem

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pozlp_wnkRk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Radar Chief]

Fire at them and get a RPG in return

Too much money on those ships to risk one sinking.

Maximum effective range of RPG=300-500 Meters.
Maximum effective range of Mah Deuce=>1000 Meters.

[Dylan]

The game needs some rules. Right now the game is that the shipping companies and the insurance companies take calculated risks to sail in those waters. If the ship is taken they pay the money, get the ship and crew back.

But, when you start hijacking private yachts, IMO, the rules change. That shouldn't be allowed and any attempts should be met with a half dozen tomahawks aimed at the ports and gassing stations.

What's next for these adventure seekers? Vacationing in the hills of Afganistan?

just saying...

[Chiefnj2]

What's next for these adventure seekers? Vacationing in the hills of Afganistan?

just saying...

The entire Indian Ocean should be closed?

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

What's next for these adventure seekers? Vacationing in the hills of Afganistan?

just saying...

Bibles don't distribute themselves.

[Dylan]

The entire Indian Ocean should be closed?

Sail at your own risk

U.S. Government Travel Advisory:

http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/Countering_Piracy_Off_The_Horn_of_Africa_-_Partnership__Action_Plan.pdf

http://www.marad.dot.gov/news_room_landing_page/horn_of_africa_piracy/horn_of_africa_piracy.htm


Excerpts: Chicago Tribune

Hijacked couple had discussed dangers of piracy in Red, Arabian seas

Scott and Jean Adam talked to a sailor friend about avoiding the Arabian and Red seas altogether on their trip. But they decided instead to join a yacht rally going their way; the rally organizers say the couple broke off before being hijacked.

The couple, however, apparently decided to break off from the Blue Water Rally, which organized and supported the group of boats headed toward the Mediterranean.

Blue Water Rally organizers released a statement on their website Saturday that said the Adams chose to take an independent route from Mumbai to Salalah, Oman, and left the rally on Feb. 15. With them on their boat was another American couple, Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-me-somali-pirates-20110220,0,2306309.story

Scott and Jean Adam's Web site: http://www.svquest.com/

Then do a little research into Blue Water Rally -- I wouldn't be surprised if some of the recommendations in the original itinerary around the Gulf of Aden has been removed.

Happy hunting...

[Bowser]

I just don't feel like throwing out any pity here.

[Dylan]

Bibles don't distribute themselves.


OK

Pirates 4 Jesus 0

just saying....

[FishingRod]

No randsom should ever be paid. No pirate should ever be allowed to live. They were all killed resisting arrest or they must have “jumped” overboard trying to escape. A few more innocents would in the short run probably be killed but in very short order this problem would be solved. I mean how many Americans want to try smuggling hash out of Turkey after seeing Midnight Express?

[Bugeater]

I just don't feel like throwing out any pity here.
Not for the adults. But I don't think the kids probably had a choice in the matter. Shame on their parents for putting them in that situation.