Somali Pirates Seize French Ship
I guess they didn’t hear what happened the last time they tried this (via Reuters):
NAIROBI – Somalia pirates have seized a yacht with two French nationals aboard off the coast of East Africa, a maritime official and the French Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
‘The ministry confirms that a yacht with two French on board has been the target of an act of maritime piracy in the Gulf of Aden,’ it said in a statement from Paris.
The ministry has activated its crisis center and is examining the case in cooperation with all relevant government services.
Earlier Andrew Mwangura, head of the East Africa Seafarers’ Assistance Programme, said a vessel had been seized but it was not clear whether it was a yacht or cruise ship.
In April, pirates captured a French yacht, Le Ponant, and held the 30-member crew hostage for 8 days. The ship’s owner paid a ransom for the crew’s release, but unlike most cases of maritime terror, the story didn’t end there. Once the hostages were moved to safety, French commandos swooped down in helicopter gunships, chasing the pirates onto land where five were killed and six of them were captured and sent to France to stand trial. Frankly, I’m surprised that the pirates would mess with a French ship again, but obviously their memory needs refreshing. Hopefully they will be reminded soon why piracy is not a wise career choice.
Earlier Andrew Mwangura, head of the East Africa Seafarers’ Assistance Programme, said a vessel had been seized but it was not clear whether it was a yacht or cruise ship.
IS This man involved in the attacks ????
He seems to have instant access - something very FISHY!!!!