4 Dead On Yacht At Hands Of Kidnappers

[Al - s/v Persephone]

February 22, 2011 1405 GMT


Four Americans have died aboard a yacht hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, apparently killed by their captors, CBS News reported Feb. 22. The Quest was hijacked on Feb. 18 off Oman and was being shadowed by a U.S. Navy warship. Gunshots were heard aboard the vessel, which carried more than a dozen pirates, some of whom the warship killed, while others were captured.

 

[Al - s/v Persephone]

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Four Americans taken hostage by Somali pirates off East Africa were shot and killed by their captors Monday, the U.S. military said, marking the first time U.S. citizens have been killed in a wave of pirate attacks plaguing the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean for years.


U.S. naval forces quickly boarded the captured yacht after hearing the gunfire and tried to provide lifesaving care to the Americans but they died of their wounds, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.


Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained, the U.S. Central Command said from Tampa, Fla. The remains of two other pirates who were already dead for some time were also found. The U.S. military didn't state how those two might have died.


Negotiations had been under way to try to win the release of the two couples on the pirated vessel Quest when the gunfire was heard, the U.S. military said.


The Quest was the home of Jean and Scott Adam, a couple from California who had been sailing around the world since December 2004. The two other Americans on board were Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, of Seattle, Washington.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Details on Foxnews.com and CNN.com

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/22/americans-aboard-yacht-captured-pirates-reportedly-killed/

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/22/somalia.us.yacht/index.html?hpt=C1

 

[Du4salr!]

Such a shame and a waste. Hope something can be done to prevent and stop this.

Doug

 

[pogo2]

A non acceptable loss

There was no reason on earth for these innocent people to have their lives ended in such a mannor. The countries of the world should make it a point to eliminate these acts of aggression on free seafaring peoples.
Several years ago there was an act of piracy, on of all places Lake Erie. No one was killed but a fisherman was robbed of his wallet, boat keys, radio mike, and his fish. and left to drift several miles off shore. Sad, Sad what this world is becoming. RIP to those that have died.

 

[Salty]

My heart felt condolences goes out to the families. I never thought it would end this way. What a shame. Our immediate action is to be more careful when sailing that region. We should also make an example out of the pirates that were captured even though I don't think that will stop others from filling and taking their places. The real solution have to come from Somali and it will not be easy. They have to get some type of Government with law and order established there, not an easy task.

 

[joker460]

It's a shame it ended this way. Normally these pirates don't kill hostages as there is no money in that. From reading the reports, it appears the hostages may have fought back since there were 2 pirates already dead when the Americans boarded. Then the Americans took out 2 more before the rest surrendered. At least that's the way I read it.

 

[Cayennita]

The vessel decided to separate from a round the world flotilla and go on their own. The flotilla was going to approach in as a group and with escort. Their decision to go at it alone cost them their lives. The fact that a US worship was tailing them probably aggravated the situation.

 

[Lee Coller]

Given the mismatch in numbers I think its doubtful the hostages fought back. I'd guess the pirates had a dispute among themselves that escalated.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

The vessel decided to separate from a round the world flotilla and go on their own. The flotilla was going to approach in as a group and with escort. Their decision to go at it alone cost them their lives. The fact that a US worship was tailing them probably aggravated the situation.

No, the problem was that the US warship didn't do anything until after the hostages were dead. And we probably won't do anything with the ones the took prisoner, other then give them free housing and meals for life.

What ever happened to the pirates we took prisoner last year in the pirate incident from the commercial boat when they were holding the captain on the life boat? He was sentanced to 33 years, 9 months in jail. In conditions far better then he was living in prior to his arrest.

 

[Ctskip]

You must make it so that when the pirates leave port, they never return.
Word will spread and nobody will want to leave port again. Problem solved.

As long as they come keep coming back with pockets full of money, they will continue leaving port in search of riches.
Russia doesn't have a problem with hijackers,

Keep it up,
Ctskip

 

[Liam]

Sounds a bit odd...

To me it sounds a bit odd that the pirates would just shoot the hostages leaving no "barganing chip" or "hostage shield" to stand behind.

Seems more likely that the US forces were attempting a "Rambo" style attack and release and it went bad. I am not saying that a US attack and release attempt was wrong. If I were a hostage of Samali pirates I would want the good guys to try it too. Either way your odds of survival are low. I'm just saying that the way the government and the media spin things... I don't believe it.

I am not defending Samali Pirates, but I saw pictures of them and they are nothing but skin and bones! If we spent some of the money we throw away on wars to buy food for starving people they probably would not be forced to desperate measures.

This is just a sad situation for everyone! I am truely sorry for the families of the victums.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Nothing odd about it

To me it sounds a bit odd that the pirates would just shoot the hostages leaving no "barganing chip" or "hostage shield" to stand behind.

They learned from the British couple whose yacht they hijacked in 2009 that people on sailboats don't have millions...so that's not why they hijacked a US flagged sailboat. It was pure revenge....just days before they captured the yacht, a US court convicted and sentenced one of the pirates who hijacked the "Maersk Alabama" to 33 years. That's a fascinating story...you should read it.

 

[Tim R.]

I am not defending Samali Pirates, but I saw pictures of them and they are nothing but skin and bones! If we spent some of the money we throw away on wars to buy food for starving people they probably would not be forced to desperate measures.

Absolutely wrong. They are not living impoverished lives. They likely are skin and bones because of their drug use. This is no longer about a few displaced fisherman. This is organized crime that is targeting any and all targets. There is no religious or political motivation here; just money.

Don't get me started on giving away our taxes to feed the masses. I do my part by choice.

 

[Ctskip]

Why stick around, if revenge is the motive? Just send one or two and kill them , leave a note and carry on to kill again. No need for ten plus pirates to capture a sailboat. I can understand the revenge motive. I also can understand the twist to what happened. So many possibilities and it came down just one of those ways. We can only go by the story they tell us. everything else is just a theory.

I'm now concerned as to what are we going to do with the left overs. It wouldn't surprise me if we hear they attempted an escape and died trying.
If America tries theses pirates and houses them for years , we are bigger fools than I think.
Who ever wanted to feed the hungry at home before they become pirates, I say, help yourself. You are free to try it. Not me, thank you

Keep it up,
Ctsip

 

[Rick D]

Sometimes justice is geographic. If memory serves me correctly, after a cruiser was killed in a burglary attempt in one Central American port where the locals value the visit and trade of the yachties, the suspects were found dead a few days later. Apparently, the local law enforcement didn't have the resources to conduct an in depth investigation, but the local population administered their own brand of justice.

For the record, I am not advocating lynching or vigilante justice. However, sometimes in remote areas without the administrative resources to deal with crimes like this, something more personal substitutes.

As far as pirates, they will simply continue to pirate until the monetary gain isn't worth the risk. That will take a serious effort by a coordinated force of international military and the cooperation of vessel owners IMHO.

 

[Ctskip]

That's what I have been saying. Take the reward away and if the pirates don't return, (OK, just set'em adrift) they won't pirate anymore. Problem solved. It just takes a coordinated effort by all.

What we need is a leader, one that can make the tough decisions.

Keep it up,
Ctskip

 

[Steve Dion]

Maybe they could spend a few bucks on food rather than fuel to run their boats!

 

[Manureva]

i would have no problem showing them how my 12 gauge 6 inch hole machine works........

 

[Mike H.]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/world/africa/24pirates.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

This is a good recount with some newer details. #1, these people were where they should'nt have been.......alone. #2, all the pirates are in custody or dead, they failed, message to other pirates sent and received. #3, four american sailors dead. #4, You're on your own out there, the military are like police, they clean up after you're dead, (when dealing with pirates).

When I first heard about this hijacking on Sunday, my wife and I asked ourselves why in the hell were these people sailing near Somalia? Don't they know about the piracy there?

Those four people made a fatal choice.