Hostage Britons RELEASED

[MMNETSEA]

Photo Lynn Rival courtesy Coalition Forces



Latest from the Times Website

[MMNETSEA]

Here is a well written commentary in Britain's Independent Newspaper.

THEY ARE NOT WORTH IT

I would prefer to land special forces to round up this rabble.

[Frank]

So much for the benefits of being British and the security afforded by flying the Red Ensign. The UK really is a sad excuse for a nation these days. Old Royal Navy hands must be turning in their graves.

[MMNETSEA]

Unconfirmed report has one of the hostages shot (wounded) early today/yesterday 13/14 March . No further info available.

[Qldcruiser]

There is so much political correctness these days that nothing gets done that might possible offend someone or we are being racist etc. As a former naval officer it pains me to see these situations occur and nothing being done at a level that the fear of it dissuades these criminals and animals from ever contemplating another act similar no matter how supposedly desperate.

I understand some peoples thought that these somali's and other are so desperate that they will do this. I am sorry but this is not the case. It is not desperation that drives but the want for riches in an easy way no matter what the human cost as long as it is not there own. This is exemplified by the numbers that are driven off by tactical manouvres or gun fire. Desperation will drive you to keep going no matter the risk. These criminals will run off if the risk is unacceptable. That is not desperation.

The sooner the RN or other forces give these criminals a hit that they will not forget in a hurry we will continue to suffer the wholesale piracy that is occuring. You will not stamp it out completely because there are some out there that are truly desperate and will risk it all. But they are a small minority.

And yes, I did serve in Somalia in the late 80's with the UN peace keepers, so I have seen there conditions and know a bit about the people.

[chiroeurope]

Folks,

As one paper here once put will the last sane person leaving Britain please turn out the lights. Personally, there is a lot of folks across the straight and in that area that are making very good money laundering the ransom money paid. I agree with the earlier post of make it too expensive and painfully so and you will see how well that works.

[MMNETSEA]

Here is a link to The Status of Seized Vessels as of Monday 15th March :

CLICK

This report is well worth absorbing. It really illustrates what an unholy mess has been allowed to ferment in the waters surrounding Somalia. It also demonstrates the underlying corruption that permeates the whole of Africa.

[chiroeurope]

Thank you for the information. It means that when we are in that area we go the long way around and NOT have a UK flagged Vessel (thank goodness for Italian citizenship). Personally (and I know among some this is not popular), All military in the area should have leave to fire upon confirmation of pirate activity outside Somali waters and the permission that was agreed at the UN be used with air strikes on all known bases of pirates on till there is nothing standing. This will never happen as the current governments of the world lack the intestinal strength to use the needed force to stop this.

As far as poaching FV. Seize them and fine the company/ country that is sponsoring the poaching and sell the vessel to sponsor seeding programs to re-establish the fish populations. Again will not happen due to the greed of the PTB's. Gee, one begins to wonder if those of us who seek the cruising life aren't really the sane ones (instead of the slightly crazy as mainstream society would paint us).

[magwas]

Originally Posted by chiroeurope

All military in the area should have leave to fire upon confirmation of pirate activity outside Somali waters and the permission that was agreed at the UN be used with air strikes on all known bases of pirates on till there is nothing standing. This will never happen as the current governments of the world lack the intestinal strength to use the needed force to stop this.

They don't lack intestinal strength to do such things. They simply lack oil.

[Nausikaa]

Originally Posted by chiroeurope

As far as poaching FV. Seize them and fine the company/ country that is sponsoring the poaching and sell the vessel to sponsor seeding programs to re-establish the fish populations. Again will not happen due to the greed of the PTB's.

This is pretty much standard. Vessels fishing without a license are seized in most countries having a fisheries protection service. The vessel, fishing gear and catch is sold and the skipper/owner fined. In this respect, the UK is one of the toughest countries in Europe.

In the area concerned, any vessels fishing illegally, if not from the Far East, would probably be European! An aerial patrol I was involved in about 6 years ago turned up 22 vessels fishing illegally in Tanzanian waters; all of them French or Spanish tuna vessels.

In some countries the monies obtained from the sale of the vessel etc and the fines go to the general state finances but in others the proceeds go to fisheries. Seeding only works for certain species.

Aye // Stephen

[Lighthouse]

Can anyone confirm this report, or know anything new:

Somalia:Pirates to release British couple in coming hours

7 Apr 7, 2010 - 7:25:41 AM

Somali pirates are reportedly releasing elderly and frail British couple hostage, who have been held for more than six months in the coming hours.

According to reports that Garowe Online received from sources, the gang holding the couple in Harardhere, a pirate haven in northeastern Somalia is said to have been promised unspecific ransom amount to free the hostages.

The gang has previously demanded a ransom money of about $2 million for the expenses they incurred while holding chandlers. But reports say they have so far received money for the expenses they incuured.

The couple is expected to be flown to Nairobi Kenya in the coming hours by a chartered plane that is currently in Somalia’s Adado district, near the area they are held.

Paul Chandler and his wife Rachel, were hijacked on October 23 while vacationing in the Indian Ocean in the middle of the piracy peak season came under pirate attack in the early hours of

,

Their their 38-foot empty yacht, Lynn Rival was later located in the international waters off Somalia by the British Royal Navy.

Above report from: http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/...ng_hours.shtml

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by Lighthouse' date='10 April 2010 - 12:48 AM

Can anyone confirm this report, or know anything new:

Above report from: http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/...ng_hours.shtml

I have checked my sources - not able to verify the above report.

Nevertheless hope it has substance.

[MMNETSEA]

26/04/2010 - 16:56:18

Somali pirates today moved a British couple they are holding hostage after Islamist insurgents neared their hideout.

Paul and Rachel Chandler were bundled into a car an taken into a forest, soon after al-Shabab fighters approached the pirate lair of Haradhere, a town on the Somali coast.

Ahmed Salad, a local businessman, said an advance team of militants entered Haradhere in two vehicles late yesterday.

Somali pirates and insurgents are two separate groups. If al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, takes control of pirate strongholds, the pirates’ 300-plus foreign hostages could be in greater danger.

The Chandlers, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, were seized from their yacht Lynn Rival in the Indian Ocean on October 23.

Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/som...#ixzz0mFVXqWT1

[MMNETSEA]

It will be soon some 6 months since this hapless cruising couple were taken as hostages. Remember they were taken only 50 nautical yards from a British Warship, while it watched this elderly couple being transferred to the Pirate's operating vessel.

The Royal Navy has many illustrious victories to be justifiably proud - But the taking of the Chandlers must go down as a stain on that record.

If you feel strongly about Britain's present inaction in this matter, Please write and harass your local MP.

[MMNETSEA]

Latest report regarding the Chandlers CLICK

NB. These reports coming out of Somalia and Kenya cannot be verified for their veracity

[magwas]

I do think that the key to the solution at Somalia is cooperation with Islamic groups.

They are rooted in the local culture, and an order where there are severe punishments, but it is known how to avoid them is better than a lack of order where anyone can be killed without reason.

I do not know much about Islam, but I believe that basic rules could be negotiated which are more or less in line with our western values, conform with Islam, and end the hostilities and starvation.

[MMNETSEA]

The Chandler's appeal to the new PM 7 months into their ordeal:-

Click

[MMNETSEA]

Anyone, have updates on the fate of the Chandlers ? The British Government is remarkably quiet. There was a hope that action would be taken to rescue this unfortunate couple when the previous government was voted out of office.

Seems politically correct to sacrifice British troops in Afghanistan. But, not to contemplate or consider the risk of taking on Somali criminals.

Would it be even greater 'incorrectness' to pay the Israels to do the job?

[magwas]

I know that what I am about to say sounds harsh, but this is the truth.

Military is busy in Afghanistan making big bucks for the weapon industry and drug dealers, they have no time to save an economically unviable couple.

In the meanwhile western countries apparently still think that giving citizen's money to murderers and pirates is better than giving taxpayer money to get the country in its feet.

Yes, citizens pay the higher price for the goods at the end. The extra expenses go to security people (murderers) and pirates.

[chiroeurope]

One can hope and pray and write the government for those of us living here. I am doing a lot of praying.