'Big Catch' S/V Quest Capture - Non-Politcal !

[Mark1977]

CNN is covering the story now....

[Ruf361]

terrible.
that whole area needs to be turned into a parking lot.

[Woodchuck]

Those poor people.

[Patient]

Absolutely horrible to hear. My heart sank when I read it this morning. I was so hoping that this would turn out to be another win for the good guys and perhaps even elements of the pirate command to be stopped.

I was going to post my condolences in the other thread but it was locked... imagine that.

[GordMay]

Here’s the official news release from U.S. Central Command
➥ U.S. Central Command | U.S. forces respond to gunfire aboard the S/V Quest

[SvenG]

Tragic outcome but at least their country dedicated serious resources to try to prevent it:

Four U.S. Navy warships were involved in the response force -- an aircraft carrier, a guided-missile cruiser and two guided-missile destroyers, according to the statement.

That's from CNN.



-Sven

[capn_billl]

This is a sad end for a sad situation.

[seadog2]

My heart goes out to them and their families. Something has really got to be done with the whole situation there, and throughout the Indian Ocean.

[Cormorant]

How horrible. I can't imagine the terror of their final minutes.

I had a feeling this would end this way, though. After the Maersk Alabama the pirates talked about killing Americans in retribution. And they had to know that they faced death by sniper if they got into a similar standoff with the US Navy. Makes me wonder why they took this boat in the first place, so far offshore with so much time for armed response. Unless they gambled on taking the Quest without an emergency call getting out. . ..

Anyway, rest in peace, my cruising kindred spirits.

[Steve W]

Senseless and heartbreaking. They were just living their dream. It will be interesting to see what response our administration takes besides another speech. I like the Russian model described in an earlier post.

Fair winds, crew of the Quest .

[Pete7]

Terrible news, worst possible outcome. Thoughts for families and friends.

Pete

[Mimsy]

Deepest condolences to the families... Very sad news indeed.

[MarkJ]

From Gords link

During the boarding of the Quest, the reaction force was engaged by pirates on board the vessel. Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained along with two pirates already in US Forces custody. The US Forces also found the remains of two other pirates already dead aboard the Quest. In total, it is believed 19 pirates were involved in the hijacking of the S/V Quest.

http://www.centcom.mil/press-releases/u-s-forces-respond-to-gunfire-aboard-the-s-v-quest
Bolding mine.

So, perhaps reading carefully we can see there was pervious intervention capturing 2 pirates and killing 2. Maybe more than one previous intervention. Hopefully the full story will come out. Obviously there was much happening during the news blackout when we were told a US ship was shadowing and 'considering options'. they were doing more than 'considering'!

Anyone with any military/police experience will know that 19 pirates on a 50 foot yacht with 4 hostages ain't an easy task.

Glad the US navy tried. So sorry to the relatives of those killed. Glad the Free World doen't need to execute the pirates sumarily.

Glad the whole story has now given a clear warning to would be yachties thinking of going that way that not only they risk their lives but those passengers and crew they have aboard.... as well as troops lives sent to rescue them.


Mark

[Khagan1227]

Sad, very, very sad. My condolences to the families. I hope this is a wake up call to all nations of the world as to the seriousness of this problem, if not, their lives were lost for nothing.

[boatman61]

I doubt it Mark.... there's some stupid self important people out there... a Dutch couple for a start...
My sympathies to the family's and friends