Somali Pirates Capture Private British Yacht with Couple Aboard

"The British couple are in our hands now. We captured them as they were touring in the Indian Ocean," a pirate called Hassan told Reuters. The search is on to try to determine the whereabouts of Paul and Rachel Chandler, a British couple who were sailing their boat about 60 miles off the coast of the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. It is believed the the couple was cruising in the direction of the east African coast, but there is no word as to any intended destination or if they were simply cruising in the area, intending to return to the Seychelles.

Authorities have notified the families of the couple and it is expected that the pirates will soon begin making ransom demands through official channels. Although weather had hampered pirate activity throughout much of the middle of the year, the last month has seen a sharp increase in pirate activity, despite an increased naval presence from many concerned nations.

It would appear that private citizens sailing in open water would be unlikely to represent the kind of ransom potential that the pirates would find with the tankers and other large ships that they often target. But, with the ransom chips becoming human life as opposed to merchantable goods, it's likely that family members, friends and the British government will step in to ensure the safe return of the Chandlers.

There is no word at this time where they are being held and what may have happened to the vessel they were sailing at the time of their abduction.