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**David_Old_Jersey** · 24-10-2009, 17:14

R38 Lynn Rival
Paul & Rachel Chandler

Lynn Rival's EPIRB has been activated today, October 23rd.
They departed from the Seychelles yesterday for a 150NM passage SW to the
Amirante Islands, en route to Tanzania.

If you hear any news of the yacht, please contact michaeljsmith@uk2.net (Rival Owners. Org) or phone 01869 345888

WWW.RivalOwners.Org.uk

Just passing it on..............

**GordMay** · 25-10-2009, 02:41

Unsettling news; but thanks for the heads up, David.

Rachel Chandler (s/y “Lynn Rival”) posted this “Seychelles Update on” on 2009-06-09"
“... The Somali pirates are no longer operating in Seychelles waters. One reason given is that ...
... Anyone coming should be aware that there have been a number of thefts in recent weeks ...”
More ➥ Noonsite: Seychelles Update on Piracy

Paul & Rachel aboard "Lynn Rival"
(note the life-raft on fwd deck)

**MarkJ** · 25-10-2009, 04:38

What do you say?

We are heading into the Red Sea area next year to go to the Med but we are going under strict conditions. Not gunholing around non protected waters with blinkers on.

Its blowing SE 12 kts so don't thnk its a storm.

**MarkJ** · 25-10-2009, 04:45

The other thing about this that beggers belief if how do we know that they were heading to the Amirante Islands? Because they TOLD someone! No doubt someone in the port they left yesterday.

Loose lips sink ships.

I hope I am wrong and get to eat my words... hopefully they just busted their donk and need a tow.

ColdFusion · 25-10-2009, 05:03

Might be worth mentioning that the phone number given above is a UK one, so substitute the first zero with '44' if dialling from abroad.

Here's hoping for a happy outcome...

**MarkJ** · 25-10-2009, 05:03

Just in case anyone thinks the Seychelles are safe heler is the latest from

Quote:

All ships transiting East and South of Somalia / off Kenya / off Tanzania / off Madagascar / off Seychelles (Updated 22 October 2009)

Attacks are increasing off the coast of Somalia. With the end of the SW monsoons and with favourable weather conditions, Somali pirates are now very actively attacking vessels at great distances from the Somali coast by using mother vessels. Seven vessels have been attacked and two vessels successfully hijacked in the area: 06:17N 054:41E, 01:53S 060:05E, 01:33S 054:52E, 01:47S 056:07E, 02:36S 048:34E and 03:45S 046:43E.

Ships transiting south and east of the coast of Somalia to ports outside of east Africa, should consider navigating to the east of Madagascar, east of 60 east and south of 10 south.

This is from the IMB Piracy Reporting Center. Not made up by me.

lenseman · 26-10-2009, 11:42

UPDATE:

From the American National Intelligence Agency 23 OCT 2009 [203].

The EPIRB on "LYNN RIVAL" was activated at 01:33Z on the 23 October at the location 04° 31.43S 054° 26.10E. This is 60 nautical miles west by north of the town of Victoria in the Seychelles. There are SIX crew on board.

Further traffic:

Earlier at 05:55Z (22 OCT 2009) there was a thwarted pirate attack on a merchantman in the area 04° 09.00S 052° 35.00E this is very close to the last known position of LYNN RIVAL. The area was listed as 'High Risk for 24/48 hours'.

This update also cross posted on YBW, Noonsite and CruiserLog.
__________________
regards David - DSW Marine Engineering
www.dswmarineengineering.com

ColdFusion · 27-10-2009, 02:06

Just heard on the TV news - Somali pirates have said they have taken them hostage

bobsadler · 27-10-2009, 02:26

from uk daily mail newspaper

Fears for British yacht couple missing in pirate-infested seas | Mail Online

ColdFusion · 27-10-2009, 02:38

Somali pirates say holding British couple | Top News | Reuters

Dale · 27-10-2009, 02:53

That sucks. My heart is with them. Hope for a quick resolution, so their journey can continue.

**GordMay** · 27-10-2009, 03:05

Do they seem to have been a little North of a direct passage Seychelles to Tanzania?

**MarkJ** · 27-10-2009, 03:51

Lets hope for the best. Lets hope they stay calm and try to placate the thugs and let the navy's handle it.

Good luck to them. May their families say NO to ransom demands!
Our families will be clearly instructed to say NO. No! simple. No.

**David_Old_Jersey** · 27-10-2009, 04:00

One thing to remember is that even Somali Pirates have the internet nowadays, and even access to forums

............so perhaps sometimes wise to keep ones plans quiet.

And interesting that they knew the yacht had an EPIRB and to switch it off ASAP...........

With such a quick announcement at least sounds like they are proffessionals - so IMO a good chance this will get resolved well.

**GordMay** · 27-10-2009, 04:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Lets hope for the best. Lets hope they stay calm and try to placate the thugs and let the navy's handle it.
Good luck to them. May their families say NO to ransom demands!
Our families will be clearly instructed to say NO. No! simple. No.

Obviously, a very personal decision, that each would have to make for themselves.

FWIW:
As far as I know, the only cruiser (Florent Lemaçon, s/v “Tanit”) to die in a Somali pirate incident, died as a result of “friendly fire”, by his French military rescuers (April 9, 2009).
It was the third time the French have freed hostages from the hands of pirates, but the first (& only?) time a hostage had been killed.

➥ sail-world.com -- Hostage sailor killed by French Special forces in rescue operation

➥ Hostage killed as French storm yacht held by Somali pirates | World news | guardian.co.uk

➥ France frees yacht off Somalia, hostage killed - Somalia- msnbc.com

Florent Lemaçon & Pirates aboard "Tanit" (below)