September 6, 2011
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Somali Pirates Researched Sailors’ Web Log to Determine Ransom Amount
Scott and Jean AdamsI do hope all my fellow sailors stay safe out there! Unfortunately or maybe fortunately for me, I don’t have enough money to go cruising at the moment. And with estimated taxes due this month, I’m pretty sure I will *never* have the money to go cruising anyway. But I really feel sorry for those who have scrapped and saved to live their dreams, only to find that those who would rather steal to make a living, rather than put forth something that brings goodness to the world, would take that from them. But, in the end, happiness is within oneself, and although I crave the sea, I find a lot of happiness in just spending time with my loved ones at home. I’m guessing that the Danish man who took his family to sea may be pondering that as well, from their prison in Africa. I truly hope that situation resolves happily.
Pirate researched cruising sailors blog to establish ransom ‘Quest owners Jean and Scott Adams, killed by pirates who researched their blog to establish a ransom demand’ . The fact that a pirate in a leadership role used the Internet to research the four Americans on board the yacht Quest, who were later killed by the boarding team of 14 pirates, sends an alarming message to cruising sailors who divulge a lot of information about themselves in cruising blogs.
The FBI says that the fourteen pirates were aided by the fifteenth pirate to research how much might be asked in ransom for the four. Tragically, the four were killed by some of the pirates on board in February this year.
Mohammad Saaili Shibin, also known as ‘Khalif Ahmed Shibin,’ was indicted by a United States federal grand jury in Norfolk, Va., back on March 8, but the indictment remained under seal until he was captured and made an appearance in federal court Wednesday.
The unsealed indictment alleges that the 50-year-old Shibin researched the identity of the hostages on the Internet to learn more about them and determine the amount of money to demand. He also allegedly tried to ascertain the identity of family members of the hostages who could be contacted about the ransom.
Reference:
1. http://www.sail-world.com/cruising/canada/Pirate-researched-cruising-sailors-blog-to-establish-ransom/82499‘My advice is pretty consistent: Don’t come if you don’t have to,’ said Capt Michael Lodge of the US Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain, which advises ships travelling in the region.
‘If you decide to come anyway you need to carefully consider the risks associated with the trip. Plan accordingly, be aware of the dangers.’
Mr Jakobsson, a former special forces soldier from Sweden, was more blunt.
‘Go bicycle camping in Afghanistan,’ he said. ‘I’m sure it’s the same experience.’
