[Marmot]

BBC
April 12

French commandoes have carried out a helicopter raid against a group of
Somali pirates soon after they released 30 hostages from a luxury French
yacht.

Gen Jean-Louis Georgelin said troops moved in after the Ponant came ashore,
seized six pirates and probably found part of a ransom paid by its owners.

Local officials said at least three people died in the raid, but France
denied there had been any casualties.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7342292.stm

[ychtcptn]

The sailing yacht "Tiara" was boarded by thieves while anchored in Golfe de Porto Novo, in Corsica.

Armed bandits boarded the yacht in the middle of the night while anchored and demanded the contents of the ships safe and departed, no injuries were reported.

I heard somewhere around 140,000 Euro's were taken. An alert has been sent out to all management companies to forward on to there respective yachts and ships.

Now that it is out of the bag, as to how much yachts carry around in cash, be ready to here more stories of this.

[Kevin]

Alloy's Tiara?

[YachtNews]

Yep Kevin, it is all over the internet now.

[vivariva]

They've upped the anté and now going after merchant cargo vessels near Somalian waters:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle4589384.ece

[Kevin]

Pirates up around Somalia is nothing new. It's been a HUGE problem for years up there. We (Canada) have a Navy vessel patrolling up there, but her officer's hands are tied because they've been told to not do anything that might endanger civilians... and since these pirates use civilians are human shields... they get away with whatever they want.

Ron, I've been away all weekend and am just catching up today... I've hardly had any time to even look at news services, etc yet. Thanks for the heads-up.

[K1W1]

Hi,

Now that it is out of the bag, as to how much yachts carry around in cash, be ready to here more stories of this.

The amount claimed to have been taken included guest money, valuables and a couple of pieces of artwork.

The amount of cash carried on big yachts these days is a lot less than it was previously as so much of the budgeted spending is done by way of accounts and credit cards.

Hopefully the French will bring enough heat down on these guys to make sure this sort of thing does not become a regular event.

As Corsica is pretty much a law unto itself it remains to see just how effective any investigation into this will be.

This event may also have a benefit for those who provide close protection and security sevices to the yachts/VIP's.

[Pascal]

beign Corsica, you have to wonder if this was the action of common thieves or political. Not sure how active the Corsican nationalist movement is these days but they use to bomb villas owned by french residents...

[revdcs]

Originally Posted by Pascal

beign Corsica, you have to wonder if this was the action of common thieves or political. Not sure how active the Corsican nationalist movement is these days but they use to bomb villas owned by french residents...

You might be right Pascal. One of the directors of a company I worked for in the 80's went there on holiday. He and his wife had their car stopped by armed men who abducted her and held her hostage - she was then killed when no ransom was paid. The men were never arrested but were part of the Nationalist movement. The Nationalists have to get their money from somewhere and, if they are willing to use violence for other ends, why not use it to fund themselves?

[kreton]

I saw it in the paper, could not believe it !

With so much wealth floating on the seas, unfortunately some guys see some quick money.

Let's hope such crimes will not get popular in the Med since any bandit with a very fast boat can attack & rob a pleasure boat within minutes.

[YachtNews]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Pirates up around Somalia is nothing new. It's been a HUGE problem for years up there. We (Canada) have a Navy vessel patrolling up there, but her officer's hands are tied because they've been told to not do anything that might endanger civilians... and since these pirates use civilians are human shields... they get away with whatever they want.

Yeah, Somalia is nothing new. Many types of ships are forced to sail well beyond visual range from the Somalian coast because of fear of attack from 'go-fast' type boats I watched a documentary on Discovery where they were talking about the same piracy issue and also talked with the captain and crew of a certain container ship that was held up while passing the Somalian coast. They even go to the extent to 'train' to practice protecting the ship in case of pirate attack. Fire hoses were the main weapons

I know ever since the attack on the small luxury cruiseship Seabourne Pride close security have been more focused upon. LRADS have been bought and better training for crew. How about introducing LRADS to luxury yachts if it isn't being done already?

[K1W1]

Hi,

LRADS are used by some boats.

I have recently been privy to a demonstration done in a Military establishment with a couple of different LRADS.

I am reliably informed that they are not the all powerful disabling weapon the marketing hype would have you believe.

They are evidently very good for carrying voice over a long distance, someone who was present at the demo went as far as to suggest they would be good for communicating with guests on the beach from the mother ship at anchor.