Somali pirates seize Danish family including three children in Indian Ocean

Danish authorities are reporting that  Somali pirates have hijacked a Danish sailboat with four adults and three children aboard.

Danish family’s sailboat hijacked in Indian Ocean

The Danish Foreign Ministry said the ship sent a distress signal on Thursday. On board was a Danish couple, their three children – aged 12-16 – and two adult crew members, also Danes.

“It has now been confirmed that the sailboat was hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean,” the ministry said in a statement.

Two days before the Danish sailboat sent the distress signal, four Americans were killed by Somali pirates in a hostage standoff. They were the first Americans slain by Somali pirates since a wave of attacks began six years ago.

Earlier Monday, the European Union Naval Force said Somali pirates hijacked a Greek-owned cargo vessel with 23 crew on board.

The MV Dover was seized Monday in the north Arabian sea, 260 miles (420 kilometers) northeast of the Omani port of Salalah, the naval force said. The MV Dover was on its way to Yemen from Pakistan when it was attacked.

We recently posted about the Danish warship, Esbern Snare, which captured a hijacked fishing vessel and freed two Yemeni hostages.  The 16 pirates aboard the ship were released due to a lack of evidence.  See: Losing the War on Piracy – A Lack of Political Will

 

 

Comments

Somali pirates seize Danish family including three children in Indian Ocean — 7 Comments

  1. This is getting silly, Why were they there? with children for goodness sake, this seems irresponsible from where I sit. But also when can the international community start doing something? Releasing pirates due to lack of evidence is just crazy.

  2. ‘Silly’ is not the term I would use; one agrees it is highly irresponsible to be in this general area in the first place, particularly with children.
    Since we pride ourselves in living under the ‘Rule of Law’ then lack of evidence is the correct way to go. However it is NOT lack of evidence but lack of will by those in charge. Piracy under international law is a hanging offense.
    Good Watch.

  3. How about a new reality show. The Scorpion’s Sting. The Scorpion being a 300ft fast attack vessel, maned by X military, 3 choppers, a letter of marquet from Romania, filmed by the best and financed by Fox studios

  4. Dear Capt Boucher,
    Of course I totally agree with your “Rule of Law” comment, hope that goes without saying. What I was trying to say is I do not believe this ‘lack of evidence’ explanation, talk about a smoking gun, these guys have been caught red handed! I think what we lack is a mechanism for bringing these international criminals to trial, yes and the will to find and implement such a mechanism.
    Regards,
    Bob Williams
    LCDR, RANR

  5. LCDR.WILLIAMS: Yes caught red-handed rather like the Sea Shepherd pirates and yet Australia not just resupplies them but issues Flag State papers to the MS Gojira. Certainly a lack of mechanism and the will to implement it by most governments. Enjoy a visit to NAUTICAL LOG and see what you think of the Posts perhaps you will care to comment. Regards and
    Good Watch.

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  7. Pingback: Update: Somali Pirates Free 7 Danes | Old Salt Blog – a virtual port of call for all those who love the sea