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BBC: Pirates want $7 million ransom for UK couple

23 Comments

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[what pirates see as a business transaction into something more hostile]

What is more hostile than taking hostages at gunpoint? Give them a ransom delivered with a cruise missile. Too bad for the Chandlers straying too close to a notorious pirate infested water body.

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...the whole situation may be staged, anyway.

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"The pirates often set their sights high and settle for a lot less. Maybe they are hoping for a minimum of 1 million..."

Even only 1 million would still get you more guns, ammo, more guys to join your crew... By being captured the British couple are aiding the pirates. They should be treated as part of the crew now and forgotten.

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The pirates often set their sights high and settle for a lot less. Maybe they are hoping for a minimum of 1 million...

I reckon this couple have a pension, and enough money to support them for a few years, rich by many people's standards, but certainly not millionaires.

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Let's see how the British Empire responds.

i'd like to see that too, seeing as it's been gone for almost a century

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The couple seem doing OK, why the worry? Is their yacht worth $7 mil? Sell it and pay the pirates only that amount, no cost to tax payers. These pirates always demand astronomical amount first then go down to much smaller one later. Nah, government should just take time ,move slowly, slowly so pirates will have all the time on earth to look after this couple.

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I wonder if the SBS will show up - I wouldn't like to be the kidnappers then I woulden't like to be the kidnapees either, collateral damage anyone LOl

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A say take a dozen yachts, fill them with SAS and Seals, and let them float off the Somali coast.

Oh i can just imagine the response from the SAS to that one. hahah.

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"We only need a little amount of $7 million"

Chump change!

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Pump24, I agree with you. I think some subs should be around

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A say take a dozen yachts, fill them with SAS and Seals, and let them float off the Somali coast. It will not help this Brit couple, but it might make the pirates second guess their current business plan. Then again, probably not...

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There a lot of peple out there who spend all their savings on 2nd hand yachts that are really not so expensive. You can buy them for 20,000 Euros. That's the sailors you rarely see in a marina usually anchoring somewhere. Loads of ports in the Med are also free. So, you don't need to be rich to owe a yacht nowadays.

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I wonder if the SBS will show up - I wouldn't like to be the kidnappers then

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If you look at a map where they were taken, you'll notice its quite far out. Seems these guys got some skills. They should go ahead and make a Navy.

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And what's happening with the Chinese crew of another ship that was taken recently? Hasn't the Chinese military blown those pirates to Kingdom Come yet?

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Bambigirl-"Would it be cruel of me to say leave 'em?"

No, it wouldn't. The couple should just accept their fate. You should never give terrorists what they want. They will just take more and more.

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Perhaps it's time for some of the naval forces to start employing Q-ships like the old days. Give the pirates a heavy dose of whoop-ass from cleverly concealed armaments.

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And yes I read that they are "not rich." In my view, if you have the time to go cruising off Africa and the money to afford your own yacht -- you're rich." that is completely wrong thinking. how do you know they weren't responsible and save up for that for a long time.

I say start taking Somali's hostage. We'll get the one that will make them think different.

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Taking a travelling couple hostage is a new low for these pirates. They are getting greedier. Let's see how the British Empire responds.

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Non functioning govt of Somalia,makes Somalia sea zone ,a paradise of pirates.

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Would it be cruel of me to say leave 'em? They knew they were yachting in dangerous waters. I don't think a dime should be put towards their foolishness. Let them face the consequences.

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And yes I read that they are "not rich." In my view, if you have the time to go cruising off Africa and the money to afford your own yacht -- you're rich.

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Typical arrogance and lack of common sense of the rich, thinking they can go on a leisurely cruise through one of the most dangerous places on the globe. I would not want to see them come to harm but they are certainly deserving of being deprived of their wealth. Suggest the suitcase with the money be equipped with a sensing device, and as soon as the couple of harm's way, a Predator drone be fired at it. That should ensure that the pirates cannot spend their ill-gotten gains to upgrade their weapons and ship.

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