British hostages Freed at last

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 19:49

After a year in captivity and having been held to ransom by Somali pirates, Paul & Rachel Chandler have finally been released. Under the terms negotiated for their release, they are not yet allowed to disclose full details surrounding the day they returned to freedom.

Despite the error of judgement on their side just over a year ago, it is always good to know when long-term captives of whatever nationality are finally released and can return to their families and loved ones.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 19:51

well whatever money changed hands, im so very pleased. They may make a lot of money for the story and so the should. What price is freedom x

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 20:04

Yes, Lilli, it is good news. I wonder if money did actually change hands in this case though. The family here in the UK are not well off and while they did what they could to raise cash for the Chandlers' release, the sum of money was rejected by the Somali pirates and the Govt's position has always been ' no negotiating with pirates/terrorists'. We'll know soon enough.

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 20:08

Great news, Have been wondering about them for sometime due to no news.

Do you have a link pls

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 20:34

Tootie. Got the news from the BBC News website (via my laptop). Its now on 'general release'. Hope you can pick up on it ?

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 20:38

Got it thanks swannee7.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11752027

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 20:44

All the information is here,,,



http://www.savethechandlers.com/2010/11/14/official-statement-issued-by-the-family-of-paul-and-rachel-chandler/

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 20:54

Hadn't noticed an earlier post on this subject. apc2010 posted recently and results brought up to date in last 3 postings, specifically phylray's (msge.17).

£1 million paid !! Apparently from certain businesses AND the Somali Govt. All sounds like a very political solution. No wonder those damned pirates are in it for the long haul and at risk to themselves - the rewards are enormous.

I recently read that they're venturing much deeper into the Indian Ocean, well away from their own coastal waters, as they seek to strike ever more riches - cargo or human trophies. If that's the case, why can't the int'l navies create 'a wall of steel' along the Somali coastline and net the pirates when they eventually return to base? Something along those lines could surely be worked out?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 21:44

I'm glad they will be going home at last.

journey1


Joined: 05/12/2009
Posts: 134

Message Posted:
14/11/2010 21:44

Well thanks be to whichever 'God' , that they are released .

I truly hope they are given all the support they will need following such a harrowing experience - it cannot come without long term effects.

All Good Wishes to them and their loved ones.

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
15/11/2010 06:54

They cant speak publicly yet!! is that because they smell wealth in the selling of a story, book etc?



If so the proceeds should go to those who put up the ransom.



They were fully aware of the dangers they faced on that passage and chose to ignore them.



That aside I am glad they have been released.

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
15/11/2010 08:37

They were only 1 day out from the Seychelles over 800 miles from known activity and had actually planned their route to circumvent Somalia. so they planed their trip well but still got caught out with the pirates. It's good to see them free after 388 days of misery.







Robert

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
15/11/2010 09:30

I also think that the upcoming film and book rights should go to pay back whomever coughed up the ransom -private individuals first, Government (if any) second...............

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
15/11/2010 18:11

Aussiejock (msge12) is absolutely right. The Chandlers thought they had charted the right course. The only reason they were caught was that the pirates had ventured much further south and deeper than on previous raids. From all accounts this is an ongoing tactic.

Tragically for Paul Chandler, he has now been informed by his family that his adored Father died recently. Another blow for him and his wife to endure.....

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
15/11/2010 20:10

The Chandlers were somewhat foolhardy in their choice of route, this was the transition time between monsoons , the seas at this time tend to glass out with very little wind for sailing. These are ideal conditions for for the pirate skiffs to operate in.



Several attacks had been reported in the preceeding weeks, it ment that the Chandlers had to motor east and then south when thier destination was west of their start position.

To anybody this is not sensible navigation



The pirates even said they were suprised to see a yacht in that position and at that time of the year.



This however does not in anyway mitigate the right of any vesell freedom for navigation.

However any idividual should exercise due care and exercise responisibility to themselves or any exterior individual that may be called on to intervene.



It was then and now more so to regard them as 'folk heroes'



As a fellow yachtie i am delighted that they are now free, however iI do doubt their common sence