Luxury Yacht hijacked by Somali pirates

[schoonerdog]

The Ponant was just hijacked off the coast of Somalia. It's a 260ft yacht, really a small cruise liner, with a crew of 30. I believe there were no guests on board, but the itenary for trips does state "on these tours you will visit small harbours and stop for impromptu swims along the way."

[MarkJ]

Serves them right for going near Somalia

News | Africa - Reuters.com

Mind you, as its a French crew it might be some Americans stirring the pot!

[Zanshin]

Here's the link to the BBC article: BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Somali pirates seize French yacht

[imagine2frolic]

Don't drive through East St. Louis at 2 am in an unreliable car if you don't want to get murdered. I think the same thing goes for the Somali coast. A lack of common sense I think!

[Vasco]

I guess everyone except them knew not to go there

[liberty16]

France Info radio said the French Navy had lost contact with the yacht, adding that surveillance aircraft had been diverted to the area and a ship from the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom was heading towards the site of the attack.

Team America to the rescue?

[GordMay]

The International Maritime Bureau advises merchant ships to stay at least 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast because of the risk of piracy.

[schoonerdog]

I just like the fact that despite the hijacking, they probably can still expect to stick to their itinerary and "stop at small excluded harbors for impromptu swims". The swims might be forced at gunpoint with no hope of reaching land.....

[theonecalledtom]

Anyone know how far off the coast these guys were? I might have to pass this way in a few years....

[Pelagic]

Before we criticise the Captain, let’s find out how far off the coast of Somalia he was before being attacked.

My heart goes out to the families of the crew who must be concerned that this could escalate into a bloody outcome because of the high profile nature of the seizure.

[Turnone]

Another article:

Pirates take French yacht crew hostage off Somalia - Yahoo! News

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by GordMay

The International Maritime Bureau advises merchant ships to stay at least 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast because of the risk of piracy.

Unfortunately, the Gulf of Aden is only about 170 miles across at the mouth and narrows towards the Red Sea.

[Erik C]

They had little choice, they were on their way to pick up cruise passengers in the med. They had to go that way. (plenty of room for a few .50 cals though)

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Erik C

They had little choice, they were on their way to pick up cruise passengers in the med. They had to go that way. (plenty of room for a few .50 cals though)

Yes, but there are measures you can take to improve safety. Like waiting at sea till a Navy ship wonders past and then following it.

[senormechanico]

Imho, any boat that size should have been armed with some big guns and used them.

Steve B.