It has been a long time and whatever the rights and wrongs of this; the Chandlers are not back home “dining out” on this “adventure”, as was suggested when they were first captured. They are still pawns and there are no guarantees, as far as I can see, that they will survive this ordeal.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Link not working for me Minty. I think that as long as they don’t die of starvation or some decease they will make it out. The hijackers have nothing to gain by killing them. Hostage taking in that part of the world is ‘Business.’ They need to keep them alive.
Sorry Toc, try this:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/piracy/7768872/British-couple-plead-for-David-Cameron-to-help-secure-their-release-from-Somali-pirates.html
Yes, I hope you are right about keeping them alive, but they are not looking good. They are not young and they must feel totally helpless in this situation.
They have no money and the Government policy on this is:
“The Government last night refused to bow to ransom requests and called for the “innocent tourists” to be released.
A spokesman said: “The UK Government’s policy of not making or facilitating substantive concessions to hostage-takers, including the payment of ransoms, is long-standing and clear.
“We again urge those holding Paul and Rachel to release them safely, immediately and unconditionally.”
I don’t disagree with this, but they must be running out of hope here.
Wait until the Chinese Navy begins moving in. The last time the Chinese dealt with pirates the problems were solved within a matter of a year or so.
It is an dreadful situation, we can’t begin to imagine what it’s like for them. Nevertheless, I do agree with the government or any other person, not paying the ransom, once one is paid it opens up a whole new racket for future kidnaps, then it would be become even more dangerous, killing hostages would take place then.
It just goes to show how greatly the rights of the individual are regarded by the powers that be.
Would anyone be particularly surprised if I mentioned that stupidity is sometimes terminal?
Or, if I asked why we are pussy-footing around with these people? Put a section of HM Jollies on all British ships sailing through affected waters. Prepare large signs in Garre, Jiiddu, Maay and Somali (languages most likely to be spoken in the coastal areas where the pirates come from,) and hang them over the side when any suspicious boat heaves into sight. “Go away or be blown out of the water.’ If they take no notice, get some target practice in. Problem solved.
None of that should be taken to mean that I don’t think we should go get the Chandlers out of the mess they got themselves into. If you check your passport it still says, ‘Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests , and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.
Languag information culled from: http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=somalia
I couldn’t agree more, Bravo.
Do you think there is a reason why we are not doing anything? The whole thing cooled for a while with no mention of them.
Agree with the first part of Bravo’s #9, stupid indeed, I said so at the time.
As for the Somali government not complying with the gunk written in the passport, em…….. so what? I’ve had that paragraph quoted to me before, what is ‘Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State’ going to do about it? Or anywhere else for that matter, I’m reminded of the drug trafficker being executed in China not so long ago.
Soutie, the point was aimed at our own Government* not the Government of Somalia – who have no control over these Rsoles, (or little else, for that matter, except the large chunks of aid they are salting away in their Swiss bank accounts,) anyway.
Note the return of the capital letter.
Don’t pay, rescue them.
BUT
What were these idiots doing there in the first place?
What is it with people?
Why do people persist in touristing around known sites of aggravation? The krauts are always getting nicked in Yemen as hostages, those three kids teetering on the boundary of Iran, the list is endless over the years. They have no business putting themselves at such risks and then expecting others to bail them out.
Re the Chandlers, how can they have no money? They had plenty enough to sail away for a year and a day to the land where the bong tree grows! Just not enough to satisfy the wogs!
I’d fix those bloody pirates in a week flat, shell every town along the coast systematically from the sea until flattened from the Horn of Africa South. Is there no government left with any balls?
Rhetoric don’t bother to answer.
Bravo @ #9 – Quite agree, but these days the Government of Tuvalu, to name but one from many, would seemingly have a better chance of getting them out.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
OZ
Christine, if you check the Chandlers’ course it is clear that they avoided the risky areas and were approaching the Seychelles from the East when they were attacked. The fault is with the maritime nations who failed to do the absolute minimum to interdict the pirates.
Thanks for your comments.
Yes, they made a mistake and one which may well prove fatal.
Yes, we should not pay a ransom, but I think our government should attempt to secure their release by any means possible.
Why didn’t the Navy act at the time?
Tina: regarding your question, I believe they sold their property in the UK in order to buy the yacht and finance their voyage.
HMB: yes, I think you are correct. They took note of the dangers and it was more question of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But they took a risk, and were taken hostage. I don’t think they were entirely to blame.
They only *think* that they need to keep them alive. Once they believe that no ransom will ever be forthcoming the lives of the Chandlers will not be worth a plug nickel.
PS, don’t ask, I don’t know what a ‘plug nickel’ is either.
HMB: Exactly, and I am sure the Chandlers are aware of this. It isn’t looking good for them.
Just to put this into perspective, it is 830 miles from Mogadishu to the Seychelles.
Imagine people sailing in the Solent being captured and abducted by pirates from Portugal. Pirates in open speedboats ranging from Portugal to attack people in the Solent. And the RN stands there gawping with their d**ks in their hands.
Agreed, I know they were a long way south, but there had been incidents way out to sea before.
I just cannot comprehend why people of this age think they can float round the world unharmed, living in cloud cuckoo land if you ask me. Where were they going to live after their voyage was over? That is if they had actually sold their house! Don’t these type of people ever look at the news? Piracy and murder are all over the place, the Caribbean is rife, the far East, frankly they would have been better off in the Solent! I really do think they must shoulder the vast amount of the blame for being so bloody silly and unrealistic in the first place!
Tina: not everyone decides to play it safe when they retire. They had completed quite a few nautical miles before this mishap and they were a victims of circumstance, in my opinion. Their choice, but obviously not everyone’s.
They were apparently quite experienced sailors and I think it unfortunate that they ended up in this sort of nightmare.
Bearsy, I think you should twin your town with Orléans. You and RoO will have a fine time together.
My education is now complete.
Bearsy #24 and 26. I think these men might disagree:
Victoria Cross. Private Johnson Beharry, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment; AFV driver; Amarah, 1 May 2004 and 11 June 2004 (18 March 2005[1])
George Cross.
* Trooper Christopher Finney, Blues and Royals; AFV driver, D Squadron, Household Cavalry Armoured Regiment; near Basra, 28 March 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Captain Peter Norton, Royal Logistic Corps; Second-in-Command, Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell; al-Bayaa, Baghdad, 24 July 2005 (24 March 2006[3])
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
* Sergeant Christopher Mark Broome, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment; near Amarah, 14 May 2004 and 11 June 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Sergeant Terry Bryan, Royal Horse Artillery; Basra, August 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Corporal John Collins, Parachute Regiment (15 December 2006[9])
* Colour Sergeant Leonard John Durber, Parachute Regiment, 2008 (6 March 2009[11])
* Lance-Corporal of Horse Michael John Flynn, Blues and Royals; D Squadron, Household Cavalry Armoured Regiment; near Basra, 28 March 2003 (31 October 2003[2]) (MC subsequently awarded for service during the war in Afghanistan)
* Corporal Benjamin Paul Greensmith, Parachute Regiment, 2003/2004 (7 September 2004; actually gazetted 7 March 2008[8]) (MC subsequently awarded, see below)
* Colour Sergeant James Harkess, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment; Platoon Sergeant, 1st Battalion; near Amarah, 23 May, 11 June and 30 July 2006 (15 December 2006[9])
* Sergeant Jonathan Stuart Hollingsworth QGM, Parachute Regiment (serving with the Special Air Service), 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12]) (posthumously)
* Corporal Shaun Jardine, King’s Own Scottish Borderers; Section Commander, 1st Battalion; al-Uzayr, 9 August 2003 (23 April 2004[10])
* Corporal Adam William Miller, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Sergeant Gordon Robertson, Parachute Regiment; al-Majar, 24 June 2003 (23 April 2004[10])
* Marine Justin Thomas, Royal Marines; near Basra, 30 March 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Corporal Terence Alan Thomson, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment; Basra, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Sergeant (Acting Colour Sergeant) Matthew Tomlinson, Royal Marines; attached United States Marine Corps; near Fallujah, November 2004 (24 March 2006[13])
* Staff Sergeant James Anthony Wadsworth, Royal Logistic Corps, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
Military Cross
* Captain Ibrar Ali, Yorkshire Regiment, 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12])
* Warrant Officer Class 1 Andrew Allman, Parachute Regiment, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Lance-Corporal Christopher Balmforth, Queen’s Royal Hussars, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Corporal Simon John Barry, Parachute Regiment, 2008 (6 March 2009[11])
* Captain Robert James Bassett-Cross, Scots Guards (15 December 2006[9])
* Corporal of Horse Glynn Bell, Blues and Royals, 2003 (23 April 2004[10])
* Sergeant Nathan Bell, Parachute Regiment, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Corporal David Beresford, Royal Marines; Section Commander, 42 Commando; 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Guardsman Anton Branchflower, Irish Guards, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Captain Simon Bratcher, Royal Logistic Corps; Ammunition Technical Officer; Maysan, June 2005 (24 March 2006[13])
* Captain Delmore Alexander Britton QGM, Parachute Regiment, 2003 (31 October 2003[2]) (QGM was awarded for service in Northern Ireland[14], and was also Mentioned in Despatches for service during the Gulf war[15])
* Lieutenant Alex John Burgess, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12])
* Corporal Mark Byles, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment; 2nd Battalion; Amarah, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Marine Richard Thomas Bywater, Royal Marines, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Lieutenant Charles Oliver Campbell, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Lance-Corporal Nicholas Thomas Alan Coleman, Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry (15 December 2006[9])
* Corporal Craig Comber, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; Armoured Recovery Mechanic, attached Queen’s Royal Lancers; 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Private Ryan Copping, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment; Warrior Driver; Basra, 18 July 2006 (15 December 2006[9])
* Lance-Corporal Trevor Coult, Royal Irish Regiment (8 September 2006[16])
* Captain Jeremy Alexander Crossley, The Rifles, 2008 (6 March 2009[11])
* Major Ian Grange Crowley, Yorkshire Regiment, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Corporal Anthony Currie, King’s Own Scottish Borderers; Section Commander, 1st Battalion; al-Uzayr, 8 August 2003 (23 April 2004[10])
* Kingsman Michael Davison, King’s and Cheshire Regiment (Volunteers); 4 July 2003 (23 April 2004[10])
* Second Lieutenant Richard Deane, Royal Irish Regiment; Platoon Commander, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment; 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Lance-Corporal Darren George Dickson, Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers), 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Staff Sergeant Brendan William Elliott, Royal Anglian Regiment, 2008/2009 (11 September 2009[17])
* Fusilier David Owen Evans, Royal Welch Fusiliers, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark David Evans, Royal Welch Fusiliers, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Warrant Officer Class 2 (CSM) David Falconer, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Lieutenant Simon Thomas Farebrother, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Major Justin Burritt Featherstone, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Warrant Officer Class 2 Brian Gerard Forrester, Parachute Regiment, 2008/2009 (11 September 2009[17])
* Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Charles Fram, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Colour Sergeant Benjamin Paul Greensmith CGC, Parachute Regiment; 2007/2008 (25 July 2008[4]) (details of CGC above)
* Acting Sergeant Neil Griffiths, Royal Welch Fusiliers, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Captain Christopher Edward Haw, Royal Marines, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Corporal David James Hayden, Royal Air Force Regiment, 2007 (7 March 2008[8]) (first RAF NCO to win the MC)[18]
* Lieutenant Christopher Ashley Head, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Major Richard Head, The Light Infantry; Officer Commanding B Company, 1st Battalion; Basra (15 December 2006[9])
* Sergeant Mark Jack Heley, Royal Engineers, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Major James Benjamin Weston Hollister, The King’s Regiment, 2003 (23 April 2004[10])
* Captain Grant Ingleton, Royal Artillery, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Corporal Stephen Phillip Iszard, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (15 December 2006[9])
* Staff Sergeant Richard Peter Thomas Johnson, Royal Engineers, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Sergeant Paul Kelly, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment; attached 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; Camp Condor, Maysan Province, 11 February 2004 and Qal At Salih, 5 March 2004 (7 September 2004[19])
* Colour Sergeant Stephen Kincaid, Parachute Regiment, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Captain James Knight, Royal Marines, 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12])
* Corporal Terry Robert Knights, Royal Marines, 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12])
* Lance-Corporal Peter William Laing, Black Watch, 2003 (31 October 2003[2]) (QGM subsequently awarded, see below)
* Major Jeremy Lamb, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12])
* Second Lieutenant Rupert Grenville Simon Lane, The Rifles, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Colour Sergeant Mark Anthony Langridge, Parachute Regiment, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Warrant Officer Class 2 Robert Gerald Leeds, Parachute Regiment; 2009 (10 March 2010[7])
* Warrant Officer Class 2 Darren William Leigh, Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, 2003 (23 April 2004[10])
* Rifleman Mark David Lunn, The Rifles, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Captain Paul Lynch, Royal Marines; Commander, Manoeuvre Support Group, 40 Commando; al-Faw, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Staff Sergeant Christopher Brian Lyndhurst, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12])
* Sergeant Mark McDougall, Royal Engineers; 2007/2008 (25 July 2008[4])
* Sergeant James Newell, Parachute Regiment; Al Jamoury, As Samawah, 21 January 2006 (8 September 2006[16])
* Major Mark Nooney, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment; Officer Commanding 20th Armoured Brigade Reserve Company (15 December 2006[9])
* Private Michelle Norris, Royal Army Medical Corps; Medical Orderly, Queen’s Royal Hussars Battle Group; near Amarah, 1 June 2006 (15 December 2006[9]) (first woman to receive the MC)
* Sergeant Michael Craig O’Brien, Parachute Regiment, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Lieutenant Daniel Charles Morgan O’Connell, Irish Guards, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Second Lieutenant Tom Orde-Powlett, Irish Guards, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Corporal Richard Thomas Pask, Royal Welsh, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Sergeant David Perfect, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 Rodney Alan Poulter, The Rifles, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Colour Sergeant Alexander Joseph Reid, Parachute Regiment, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Sergeant Christopher Paul Richards, Royal Dragoon Guards, 2008 (6 March 2009[11])
* Lieutenant Toby Rider, Royal Engineers; Troop Commander, 33 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment; 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Colour Sergeant Jason Paul Roberge, Parachute Regiment, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Lance-Corporal Sean Vitty Ernest Robson, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Corporal John Rose, Black Watch; mortar team commander, 1st Battalion; 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Lance-Sergeant Steven Eric Ross, Grenadier Guards (15 December 2006[9])
* Private Troy Samuels, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Private Jokini Sivoinauca, The Rifles, 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12])
* Captain James Duncan Stenner, Welsh Guards; probably serving with Special Air Service; 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Major Henry Francis Austin Sugden, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Marine Gareth Thomas, Royal Marines, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Corporal Peter Raymond Watts, Royal Marines, 2003 (31 October 2003[2])
* Major Stephen Nicholas Webb, Royal Welsh, 2007 (7 March 2008[8])
* Lance-Corporal Paul Christopher Wilson, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 2006/2007 (19 July 2007[12])
* Lance-Corporal Brian Wood, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, 2004 (18 March 2005[6])
* Major James Woodham, Royal Anglian Regiment; Basra, 19 September 2005 (24 March 2006[13])
PS. That list is only Iraq, and only awards fro conspicuous bravery, on land, and in the face of the enemy. There are many more.
When it comes to political leadership I agree with Bearsy, but for the soldiery you are spot on.
Zen. Concur. I wrote a rant, but I’ll leave the content as an exercise for the reader 🙂
PS. add ‘… and the White Guilt ridden, politically correct establishment.’
That’s a long list of Victoria Cross winners, almost as long as the list of Aussies who knocked them back 🙂
?
Zen, it’s OK, IS has his stupid head on.
In Australia we don’t mention Victoria Cross winners, we’d rather let them live in peace. If they need to be mentioned then we let others do it, such as the media or politicians who want to show off by using their names, but as individuals we rarely utter their names without permission as a mark of respect. 😦
BS, IS.
What a shame you and your father have acquired such a narrow perspective.
Bravo – Of course it’s BS, I’m sure all these guys want to be reminded of what they did for the rest of their lives, unlike others they are never allowed to just forget and carry on, others somehow can give themselves all the rights they need to name them constantly 😦
First laugh of the day. Thank you. You are definitely keeping up your part of the bargain.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/vc-winner-drew-fire-to-save-his-mates/story-e6frg6nf-1111118586445
Tocino _ Don’t dob 😦 Bravo hasn’t beaten the bullet yet 🙂
Thatcher would have smashed the pirates. Today there is nothing left but a memory of an iron lady 😦
I draw attention to the second paragraph of my #7 and the first line of the third paragraph of the same comment.
Thanks Bearsy for both your comments.
Why are have they not been freed? Why did the Navy stand by and do nothing, and why are the Chandlers to blame?
I cannot disagree with your analysis of the situation as regards the cause of this decline, but these examples you quote are without a doubt disgraceful but perhaps they are not entirely typical of the inhabitants of this small island, and there are no doubt examples of those who say stuff the PC and Health and Safety nonsense so beloved of our thankfully departed Socialist government, but they don’t hit the headlines.
Poor Bearsy.