Teachin'Mine Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 It's a Danish family with three children. Their captors are threatening to kill them if any rescue attempt is made. From the AP article: The blog identified the family as Jan Quist Johansen, his wife Birgit Marie Johansen, their sons Rune and Hjalte and their daughter Naja. They are from Kalundborg, 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of Copenhagen. They need our prayers desperately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Oh man. Where are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Those people are seriously evil. They shot and killed those 4 Americans last week and now they have taken children. How long will they keep these folks and will they kill them? Was it a French couple who was held a year before being released? I thought there was a flotilla of military ships from vaious countries the sailers could stay with? Although, that can't be an easy thing in a giant ocean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Praying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I'm going to ask my family to pray for these people. That is absolutely horrible. I can't even imagine how scared they must be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 (edited) Here's a good article explaining their situation: Pirate: Captive Danes will die if rescue attempted COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Any attempt to rescue a Danish family captured by pirates in the Indian Ocean will result their deaths — just like the four American sailors slain by their captors last week, a Somali pirate warned Tuesday. Maritime experts said the Danes — a couple with three teenage children aged 12 to 16 — placed themselves in grave danger by sailing into pirate-infested waters off Somalia's lawless coast despite warnings from naval forces struggling to police the area. The family was captured Thursday by pirates along with two Danish adult crew members after sending a distress signal from their sailboat, the Danish government said, adding it was doing “everything in our power” to help them. Abdullahi Mohamed, a pirate who told The Associated Press he has ties to the gang holding the Danish family, said they will be killed if any rescue operation was carried out. He specifically referred to the killings last week of four American hostages captured by pirates on their yacht. Mohamed has provided reliable information to AP in the past on piracy. The American deaths were a game-changer in the world of piracy. Somali pirates have captured hundreds of ships and thousands of crew members over the years — right now they have 660 hostages and some 30 vessels. But virtually all the hostages would be released unharmed after pirates negotiated multimillion-dollar ransoms for them and their ships. Companies paid the ransoms with insurance money and rarely attempted rescue missions to ensure the safety of their employees. If a ship's owner was unable to pay the amount demanded, pirates would keep the boat and use it to stalk other vessels on the high seas. Mohamed said pirates were discussing how much ransom to demand for the Danish hostages, and added that investors backing the pirate gang were angling for a large sum. A British sailing couple was released in November after more than a year in captivity. Reports varied how much was paid for their release, but it was believed to be around $1 million. Pirates are now commanding roughly $5 million per hijacked ship. The Danish family knew about the hijacking of the American yacht, according to a travel blog in which they chronicled their round-the-world journey that began in 2009. It was not clear, however, if they knew about the Americans’ deaths. “Of course, we talked quite a lot about it (the American hijacking) but this is far over thousands of kilometers (miles) away and the Arabian Sea that we sail in is the size of Europe,” the family said a Feb. 20 posting on ING jordenrundt.info. ING is the name of their boat. Two days later, the Americans were killed. The Danish family's last posting on Feb. 23 — a day before their own hijacking — only said their journey was uneventful and “we have NOT been boarded by pirates.” The blog identified the family as Jan Quist Johansen, his wife Birgit Marie Johansen, their sons Rune and Hjalte and their daughter Naja. They are from Kalundborg, 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of Copenhagen. The chairman of the Kalundborg yacht club, Ole Meridin Petersen, confirmed their names to The Associated Press. He called them “experienced sailors” and said they were planning to enter the Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal and get home by August. That route would take the family through the Gulf of Aden, one of the most dangerous waterways in the world in terms of piracy. The Johansens had been sending daily position and status updates by e-mail since Feb. 17 to the British Royal Navy's UK Maritime Trade Operations, which acts as a liaison for ships traveling through waters threatened by pirates, said Wing Cmdr. Paddy O'Kennedy, a spokesman for the European Union's anti-piracy force. He said the EU Naval Force had written an open letter to European governments, yachting organizations and magazines warning of the dangers of sailing through the area threatened by pirates. “We did everything we possibly could to advise the yachting fraternity of the danger,” O'Kennedy said. “They (the family) were aware of the risks they were about to take.” The EU force and warships from other nations do not provide escorts for individual ships, although they do patrol a maritime corridor that ships are urged to stick to. Reporting a daily position, like the Johansens did, might give a warship a slightly quicker reaction time but even then that doesn't mean help could reach the boat under attack in time, he said. “Even traveling in groups is not a protection for yachts. It's just a bigger target for the pirates,” O'Kennedy said. “When you're on a yacht, it can take seconds from when (pirates) are seen to when they're on board.” Per Gullestrup, head of Danish shipowner Clipper, said it was “totally insane” for a yacht to sail on its own into waters where much bigger commercial ships often travel in convoys and hire armed guards for protection against pirates. “They sailed right into the pirates’ arms,” said Gullestrup, whose company owns a cargo ship that was held by Somali pirates for more than two months in 2009. Since 2008, there have been at least nine hijackings of private yachts in the region, said Hans Tino Hansen, who runs a company specializing in maritime security. “Sailing boats and small private yachts are very difficult or impossible to secure against pirate attacks due to their low speed and low freeboard,” Hansen said. In the blog, family members wrote that they saw counter-piracy patrol planes flying overhead. “It is reassuring that they look after us,” a Feb. 20 post said. A day earlier, the family blogged they had drawn up “a piracy plan for who does what if we are attacked.” Somali pirates have extended their range east and south after increased naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden. The pirates have rarely captured families and children, but a 3-year-old boy was aboard a French yacht seized in 2009. French navy commandos attempted a rescue, but two pirates and the boy's father were killed in the operation. Four French citizens were freed, including the child. Denmark's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday advised citizens against traveling in sailboats in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the northwestern Indian Ocean. ___ Muhumed reported from Nairobi, Kenya. Associated Press reporter Katharine Houreld in Nairobi also contributed to this report. Edited March 1, 2011 by Teachin'Mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Oh man. Where are they? Somewhere in the Arabian Sea I think. It sounds like the pirates haven't even decided how much they will demand for ransom. They must be homeschooling as they didn't plan on returning home until August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Very sad... prayers for their safe release. Prayers also for all the "pirates" that are doing this.... that they'll stop (I know... not much of a chance) or that they'll be quickly dealt with and judgement of them will make others cease! Very sad for the whole family and the poor kids.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Yes, the news said that they've been gone for nearly a year and were on their way home. Though I don't know if they just took a year off school or were permanent homeschoolers. How terrible; it sounds like they were really foolhardy. I will certainly keep them in my prayers. The news I read said they were heading through the Gulf of Aden, which is apparently a very dangerous spot for pirating. A lone yacht doesn't stand a chance once sighted. They said they had a plan for what everyone should do if they got caught, but really, what can 7 sailors (3 of them teens) do at that point? The girl is 13. I don't quite want to think about what's likely to happen to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 It's terrible, but they were warned well ahead of time. Until there's some sort of resolution to this pirating, innocent sailors would be wise to listen to those who police the area. I, personally, would not put my family in that position-sailing into an area known for extreme danger, especially after being warned. The 2 couples killed recently also knew, but chose to leave a larger sailing group and go off on their own. Guess I'm not much of a risk taker. I'm thinking the same. I don't understand why they would take their children into an area known to be very dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susankenny Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Praying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 WHY oh WHY do people do these things??? The dangers of that particular area are well documented and I just don't understand why people take risks like that. It is one thing to risk your own life but when you make these choices for children and put would be rescuers at risk too---well---(just shaking head). I fear for that family. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 :iagree: WHY oh WHY do people do these things??? The dangers of that particular area are well documented and I just don't understand why people take risks like that. It is one thing to risk your own life but when you make these choices for children and put would be rescuers at risk too---well---(just shaking head). I fear for that family. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 :iagree::iagree: No way, no how. astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Wow, they were warned? That's all it would have taken for me to turn back! It doesn't make it any less tragic, but I just wonder why in the world they would continue when they were warned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Wow, they were warned? That's all it would have taken for me to turn back! It doesn't make it any less tragic, but I just wonder why in the world they would continue when they were warned? :iagree: Taking teenaged girls into PIRATE territory is irresponsible when every government in the world was warning them to stay away. I do hope they are rescued but I'm not sure the parents are quite all there mentally. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I believe the news said on their travel blog that they had come up with a "pirate plan" so they knowingly took their kids into that area, thinking I don't know what. :( I pray those people are unharmed. If they're killed, I don't know that I'd be against our Navy going there and shooting those evil idiots out of the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 I believe the news said on their travel blog that they had come up with a "pirate plan" so they knowingly took their kids into that area, thinking I don't know what. :( I pray those people are unharmed. If they're killed, I don't know that I'd be against our Navy going there and shooting those evil idiots out of the water. The problem with any retaliation is that there are hundreds more being held captive right now. They would definitely feel the brunt. I don't know that there is an easy answer to any of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 (edited) Wow, they were warned? That's all it would have taken for me to turn back! It doesn't make it any less tragic, but I just wonder why in the world they would continue when they were warned? I agree. If you look at a map of the world, you can see that if they didn't go through that area and through the Suez Canal, they'd have to sail all the way around Africa. I don't know how much longer that is, but it has to be substantial. I think the sailing conditions are also more difficult. But obviously that's all relative when the alternative is dealing with the possibility of pirates. They must be well off, so I can't imagine why they wouldn't have just ended the trip, flown home, and made other arrangements for getting their boat home. Edited March 1, 2011 by Teachin'Mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I also read a really interesting article in the Danish news, saying that there are lots of pleasure yachters roaming around, and when they get to dangerous areas, they actually board the big freighters and put their little boats on as freight. So there are other ways to get through those areas. They quoted a fellow from Maersk who said that they don't specialize in that job, but they will certainly do it, and others do specialize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I agree. If you look at a map of the world' date=' you can see that if they didn't go through that area and through the Suez Canal, they'd have to sail all the way around Africa. I don't know how much longer that is, but it has to be substantial. I think the sailing conditions are also more difficult. But obviously that's all relative when the alternative is dealing with the possibility of pirates. They must be well off, so I can't imagine why they wouldn't have just ended the trip, flown home, and made other arrangements for getting their boat home.[/quote'] It is vastly further, and entails sailing around the Cape of Good Hope (formerly known as the Cape of Storms for a very good reason). I agree that taking one's children into that area of the Indian was not really the best decision, but we all look at risks differently. Was the mere fact that they are engaging in trans-oceanic sailing beyond the Pale? Is the farmer who still lives with his family on the family farm in the Transvaal (South Africa) being stupid? (Google "Farm Murders South Africa" if you really want that story, not for the faint of heart) Is the rancher who still lives with his family on the border in Arizona being stupid? Is the man who takes his children hand gliding being stupid? How about a family vactaion to visit friends in North manchester http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/08/23/the-most-dangerous-places-in-england-115875-20708340/ How about the family that sends their children to a school in East LA? Some deem going skiing with children to be too dangerous, others flying small planes or diving. The issue is that while most of us may not have done what that family did and what they did had a high degree of danger we must realize that we all have our red lines. Too much condemnation of this family could be equally applied to many other people who engage in risky activities. Hind-sight is always 20/20 Rather let's hope for their quick and safe release and.... well I will keep my thoughts on what I would like to see happen to the vermin who took them to myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Very true Pqr. Continuing to pray for their safety and release. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 WHY oh WHY do people do these things??? The dangers of that particular area are well documented and I just don't understand why people take risks like that. It is one thing to risk your own life but when you make these choices for children and put would be rescuers at risk too---well---(just shaking head). I fear for that family. :( :iagree: Just too sad to even think about. So avoidable. So many other places to sail in the world. ::sigh:: But we will pray for them tonight. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) While it might seem reasonable for people to discuss risk, people should be free to travel international waterways without worry their boats will be boaded by pirates and their lives put at risk. Who are these sea terrorists and why are they allowed to do this? People should be allowed to peacefully sail the oceans. Edited March 2, 2011 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted March 2, 2011 Author Share Posted March 2, 2011 I agree Library Lover. News update: The boat is now anchored off the coast of Somalia. There were reports they were taken onto land, but others say they were transferred onto another pirated ship, and this is thought more likely. They had heard a warship was headed to intervene, so they moved them. It sounds like this could be a long term hostage situation now. Continuing to pray for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Taking teenaged girls into PIRATE territory is irresponsible when every government in the world was warning them to stay away. This was my first thought, too. The article I read said that they were in constant contact with anti-piracy groups. It almost sounds like they wanted to prove that they could do it or something. They didn't use any of the precautions offered. They certainly knew the risk, and now more people will likely have to risk their lives to rescue them. That's my problem. Make whatever decision you want for your own family (dangerous climbs, dangerous sailing, locally it's ice fishing during a thaw, whatever,) but others have to risk their lives to rescue you. I pray for the release of ALL those kidnapped and held. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 I also read a really interesting article in the Danish news, saying that there are lots of pleasure yachters roaming around, and when they get to dangerous areas, they actually board the big freighters and put their little boats on as freight. So there are other ways to get through those areas. They quoted a fellow from Maersk who said that they don't specialize in that job, but they will certainly do it, and others do specialize. My parents used to have a pleasure yacht and one of their dreams was to go on an oceanic voyage like this. But there are things you can do with your boat so that you don't end up in this situation. There are professionals with machine guns and bombs and stuff who will take your boat through while you fly ahead and there are companies that will pack up your boat and move it through this kind of territory. If you have the money for a boat that can do this and can take a year off to do this, then you have the money to pay not to deal with this particular area. That's what ATTRACTS the pirates. To the person who asked why there are pirates there, it's because there is barely an infrastructure in Somalia. There are no jobs. No money. No food. When you have no way out, you resort to crime. And frankly, this region has been so torn apart by wars that the population is desensitized to violence. It's a way of life for these people. It would be as if the entire state of Utah had no laws and you could fly there and kill/rape/steal from whomever you wanted for whatever reason. There's no one running the area. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 I was just thinking......Q-boats??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q-ship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 It is vastly further, and entails sailing around the Cape of Good Hope (formerly known as the Cape of Storms for a very good reason). I agree that taking one's children into that area of the Indian was not really the best decision, but we all look at risks differently. Was the mere fact that they are engaging in trans-oceanic sailing beyond the Pale? Is the farmer who still lives with his family on the family farm in the Transvaal (South Africa) being stupid? (Google "Farm Murders South Africa" if you really want that story, not for the faint of heart) Is the rancher who still lives with his family on the border in Arizona being stupid? Is the man who takes his children hand gliding being stupid? How about a family vactaion to visit friends in North manchester http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/08/23/the-most-dangerous-places-in-england-115875-20708340/ How about the family that sends their children to a school in East LA? Some deem going skiing with children to be too dangerous, others flying small planes or diving. The issue is that while most of us may not have done what that family did and what they did had a high degree of danger we must realize that we all have our red lines. Too much condemnation of this family could be equally applied to many other people who engage in risky activities. Hind-sight is always 20/20 Rather let's hope for their quick and safe release and.... well I will keep my thoughts on what I would like to see happen to the vermin who took them to myself. :iagree: My first thought was "Wow, they were warned and did it anyway." Then I realized I ought to shut up because I moved my kid to Mexico, which is the number 1 place to get kidnapped according to several sources.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jld Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Do you remember when some Japanese aid workers were captured in Iraq several years ago? A Japanese friend told me people in Japan were really irritated with those workers because rescue efforts (ransom?) are expensive. I hadn't considered the financial aspect before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted March 4, 2011 Author Share Posted March 4, 2011 I didn't remember that - I had to look it up. Wow - sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/11/somali-pirate-danish-family-killed-rescue-attempts-tried/?test=latestnews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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