Crew of hijacked US Yacht killed by pirates as US Navy shadows
The four US yacht crew kidnapped by Somali pirates on February 18, were shot by pirates whilst two Somali pirates were conducting hostage negotiations onboard a US warship, says US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The negotiations had been ongoing for a few days when gunfire was heard on the SV QUEST, which included a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) being fired on the US warship, USS STERETT. Along with the US carrier, ENTERPRISE, the cruiser LEYTE GULF and the destroyer BULKELEY, the STERETT had been shadowing the yacht as it made its way towards Somalia with its captives. The warships are part of the maritime security operations being conducted in the region.
In a Pentagon brief, Vice Admiral Mark Fox Commander of the Fifth Fleet (C5F) based in Bahrain, stated that the US hostages had died from fatal wounds inflicted by their captors. At approximately 600-yards from the STERETT, an RPG was fired at the warship then gunshots were heard. In an immediate response, the warship Special Operations reaction boarding team were dispatched to the yacht. No shots were fired as they boarded the vessel and many of the pirates had moved to the bow of the yacht with their hands in the air to surrender. No shots were fired by the US boarding team as they boarded the yacht, despite authorisation from the US President to use force if there was any immediate threat to the US citizens. The Navy forces discovered the hostages were still alive, but sadly and unfortunately, died from wounds which proved fatal despite the US forces administering immediate medical attention. Two pirates were found dead and 13 others were taken captive.
During the process of clearing the vessel, 2 pirates were killed in confrontation with the US forces; one from gunshot wounds and another from wounds suffered during a knife fight. In all 19 pirates were involved in the hijack of the 58-foot SV QUEST, which was hijacked by pirates in position 1800N 06102E, 240nm off the Oman coast in the Arabian Sea. 15 pirates were taken into custody.
The US crew of Jean and Scott Adam from California, with two other US citizens, Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle from Seattle, were stated as transiting to Salalah in Oman from Mumbai in India as part of their voyage around the globe over the last few years.
The organizers of an international yacht race called the 'Blue Water Rally' said the QUEST had been taking part in the race but left it February 15 to chart an independent course from India to Oman.
VAdm Fox, following further questions, stated that the Navy was supporting the active investigation by the FBI which was going through due diligence. In one of the most horrific piracy incidents, he said that piracy in the Gulf of Aden had been reduced with up to 34 warships from 15 flags, including the EU and NATO counter-piracy operations working in cooperation with the US-led Coalition Maritime Force headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, covering 1,500 nautical miles of a vast operational area. Pirates are able to go 1,300 to 1,400 out, including using pirated vessels as motherships to extend their reach, which also helped them to overcome the disruption to the pirate operations during monsoon season. Admiral Fox stated that UAV assets are devoted to gathering information on the movements of pirates (although SCANEAGLES were unlikely to have been used in this case) and explicit warnings are issued in the region in real-time.
President Obama was informed of the death of the US hostages at 0442 February 22. Admiral Fox said "The loss of our fellow Americans is a tragedy;" and further stated that "no casualties occurred to service members or damage to Navy ships." In closing, he said "the perpetrators will be brought to justice." A transcript of the briefing by VAdm Fox is available here (courtesy of US Department of Defense).
This bloody incident may prove a true tipping point in the fight against piracy in the Horn of Africa region. Following the recent frustrations within the shipping industry after the dreadful situation surrounding the BELUGA NOMINATION, the hijack of two oil tankers, ELENE SL and SAVINA CAYLYN, the call for greater Navy actions and even some quarters calling for armed security teams being placed on merchant vessels, this appalling act of violence is certain to raise the anger of the public and no longer just that of the maritime community.
OCEANUSLive extends deepest sympathies to the families of those taken in such tragic circumstances.
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