Three Somali Pirates Face Death Penalty Responsible for SV Quest Killings

Three Somali Pirates Face Death Penalty Saturday, 9 July 2011

Three of the suspected Somali pirates alleged to be responsible for their part in the death of four US citizens onboard the US yacht, SV Quest, are facing the death penalty; according to press reports from Saturday, 9 July. It was reported that Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nuraniu Shiekh Abrar were originally charged with piracy and kidnapping which has a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. However, a new indictment against the suspects carries fresh charges alleging that the suspects were directly responsible for the death of the US sailors. The new charges carry the death penalty, and the suspects face arraignment on 20 July. SV Quest was hijacked approximately 400 nm east of Salalah on 18 February with four US citizens onboard. A boarding team from a US frigate was dispatched on 22 February when gunfire originating from onboard the yacht was heard. However, when the team was able to board SV Quest, they discovered that all the hostages had been shot. Four pirates lost their lives during the incident and a number of pirates were detained. Eleven other suspects involved in the hijacking have reportedly pleaded guilty to piracy which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Pirate attacks hit an all-time high worldwide

Piracy hit an all-time high worldwide in the first three months of 2011 led by a surge in incidents off the coast of Somalia.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42584628/ns/world_news-africa/from/toolbar

Piracy strikes close

It is with great sadness that I learned about the SY Quest crew.  This hits very close to home.  The SY Quest was anchored 300 meters from us three weeks ago prior to there departure for Salah.  The Adam's where members of the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey where I was sailing out of for years while living in Los Angeles.  

The piracy situation in the Indian Ocean has become extreme in the past three months with the area of attacks increasing to the shores of India, and more importantly the tactics used now include attacking private yachts and killing crew.  This has many yachts that I have personally talked with in the past few weeks abandoning there sailing plans for going west and shipping their vessels.

Pirates Kill Four Captives Onboard Hijacked SV Quest Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Pirates onboard the hijacked yacht, SV Quest, killed all four of its captives in the early hours of Tuesday, February 22, according to a statement from the US Central Command. SV Quest was hijacked by pirates approximately 400 nm east of Salalah on February 18 as she was underway from Mumbai to Salalah with four US citizens onboard; Jean and Scott Adam, and Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle. According to the US Central Command statement, four US frigates were assigned as a response force to aid the stricken yacht;USS Enterprise, USS Leyte Gulf, USS Sterett and USS Bulkeley. It was reported that one of these frigates had been tracking SV Quest since she was hijacked.

Official Piracy Report Maps

Piracy is not just "Pirates of the Caribbean" Piracy is a real issue. One that requires planning and due diligence to avoid putting the guests, crew and vessel in harms way.

I feel the best strategy, the same as my storm strategy, that is avoidance! Go around it when ever possible! On top of that preparation, training and a solid security plan is essential.

PS I did not take the picture here. I hope and pray never to get this close to a real pirate.

To see the real picture of the actual attacks and attempted attacks as tracked and published by the International Maritime Bureau, check the links below.

The links are interactive you can zoom in and out and click on a specific attack to get the details.



2008 http://www.icc-ccs.org/extra/display.php?yr=2008

2007 http://www.icc-ccs.org/extra/display.php?yr=2007

2006 http://www.icc-ccs.org/extra/display.php?yr=2006