Somali pirates could kill yacht couple within days.
Discussion
So long as companies keep paying, these pirates will stay in business.
BBC said:
Somali pirates are reported to have received a total of $12.3m (£7.6m) in ransom money to release two ships.
They are believed to have been paid a record $9.5m (£5.8m) for Samho Dream, a South Korean oil tanker, and nearly $2.8m (£1.7m) for the Golden Blessing, a Singaporean flagged ship.
"We are now counting our cash," a pirate who gave his name as Hussein told Reuters news agency. "Soon we shall get down from the ship."
All crew are believed to be unharmed.
The Samho Dream supertanker was hijacked in the Indian Ocean in April and its crew of five South Koreans and 19 Filipinos were taken hostage. It was carrying crude oil worth $170m (£105m) from Iraq to the US.
Although released it is still within Somali waters and the ship's 24 crew members are said to be in good condition.
Andrew Mwangura, co-ordinator of the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme in Mombasa, told Reuters that the ransom would be the highest paid out to pirates since they started hijacking ships in recent years.
"They initially demanded $20m. What I can confirm is that negotiators tell me they agreed to make the drop with an amount in excess of $9m.
"This would be the highest sum paid out to pirates so far," he said.
The BBC's Kevin Mwachiro in Nairobi says the size of the payment is likely to change the rules of engagement when it comes to securing the release of ships held by Somali pirates. They are currently holding at least 25 vessels.
Earlier reports said the pirates had received $9m for Samho Dream and $7m for the Golden Blessing, but this was later revised.
The Golden Blessing has 23 Chinese crew.
According to a recent report by the International Maritime Bureau, a maritime watchdog, ship hijackings hit a five-year high in the first nine months of 2010, with Somali pirates responsible for the majority.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11704306They are believed to have been paid a record $9.5m (£5.8m) for Samho Dream, a South Korean oil tanker, and nearly $2.8m (£1.7m) for the Golden Blessing, a Singaporean flagged ship.
"We are now counting our cash," a pirate who gave his name as Hussein told Reuters news agency. "Soon we shall get down from the ship."
All crew are believed to be unharmed.
The Samho Dream supertanker was hijacked in the Indian Ocean in April and its crew of five South Koreans and 19 Filipinos were taken hostage. It was carrying crude oil worth $170m (£105m) from Iraq to the US.
Although released it is still within Somali waters and the ship's 24 crew members are said to be in good condition.
Andrew Mwangura, co-ordinator of the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme in Mombasa, told Reuters that the ransom would be the highest paid out to pirates since they started hijacking ships in recent years.
"They initially demanded $20m. What I can confirm is that negotiators tell me they agreed to make the drop with an amount in excess of $9m.
"This would be the highest sum paid out to pirates so far," he said.
The BBC's Kevin Mwachiro in Nairobi says the size of the payment is likely to change the rules of engagement when it comes to securing the release of ships held by Somali pirates. They are currently holding at least 25 vessels.
Earlier reports said the pirates had received $9m for Samho Dream and $7m for the Golden Blessing, but this was later revised.
The Golden Blessing has 23 Chinese crew.
According to a recent report by the International Maritime Bureau, a maritime watchdog, ship hijackings hit a five-year high in the first nine months of 2010, with Somali pirates responsible for the majority.
odyssey2200 said:
Build a large ship with a remote control/Auto pilot.
Pack it with explosives.
Have it chug around in the area known for pirate activity
Wait 'til it is boarded by the pirates and
KA-BOOM!!!
Do you have any idea how many ships go through there V how many are attacked? Your idea is like having a robot wander round London in a dress till it gets raped as a way of catching sex pests.Pack it with explosives.
Have it chug around in the area known for pirate activity
Wait 'til it is boarded by the pirates and
KA-BOOM!!!
Edited by odyssey2200 on Sunday 7th November 11:46
Tiggsy said:
odyssey2200 said:
Build a large ship with a remote control/Auto pilot.
Pack it with explosives.
Have it chug around in the area known for pirate activity
Wait 'til it is boarded by the pirates and
KA-BOOM!!!
Do you have any idea how many ships go through there V how many are attacked? Your idea is like having a robot wander round London in a dress till it gets raped as a way of catching sex pests.Pack it with explosives.
Have it chug around in the area known for pirate activity
Wait 'til it is boarded by the pirates and
KA-BOOM!!!
Edited by odyssey2200 on Sunday 7th November 11:46
Like the suggestion to carpet bomb the place etc?
although.....
philthy said:
Delighted for them.
I fear for the nightmare they will now face though, explaining to the DVLA why they didn't sorn their car.
That is the funniest thing I've read in a long time!I fear for the nightmare they will now face though, explaining to the DVLA why they didn't sorn their car.
Seriously though I hope they can return to some kind of normality, hope the experience hasn't left them broken.
KANEIT said:
philthy said:
Delighted for them.
I fear for the nightmare they will now face though, explaining to the DVLA why they didn't sorn their car.
That is the funniest thing I've read in a long time!I fear for the nightmare they will now face though, explaining to the DVLA why they didn't sorn their car.
Seriously though I hope they can return to some kind of normality, hope the experience hasn't left them broken.
The amount of times i have had a nasty letter for not putting out the recycling you wouldn't believe, but strangely never a letter thanking me for not putting out my dustbin.
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