Indian Ocean Explorer Captured by Pirates

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Teamcasa

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"A tourist dive boat has been captured by Somali pirates near the Seychelles islands.
The Indian Ocean Explorer had just dropped off a group of customers who had booked the trip on board through UK dive specialist Aquatours."

From:
Tourist dive boat captured by pirates
 
Interesting that it was obviously timed to avoid taking it with any diver guests aboard.

The "one month" resolution prediction (estimate?) from the article- I have no idea if the writers were referencing the Updated Pirate's Manual 2.0 or not. There have been no recent reports in the media regarding her disposition, and as painful as that may be, it is not that unusual. To put a "time" on an incident such as this is foolishness.

This particular ship has undoubtedly proven to be a bad choice for piracy as most liveaboards, certainly those in this area, have little available reserve operating capital, the ownership is heavily invested in the vessel itself, not much spare change lying about to re-purchase their boat from the pirates. The crew sits in the same situation- their families can put no amount of money together that would interest the captor thugs.

If the pirates learned one thing, it is that their choice to seize the boat with no wealthy passengers aboard might have been a deal breaker. Recent piracy has centered upon ships of value, cargo of value, and crew of value (that is, backed-up by deep pockets). Sadly (?), none of this applies to the Indian Ocean Explorer incident.

Several of the various internet links to booking sites for the ship have been redirected.
 
By chance saw this thread now...as left IOE a week before it was captured (working as a dive guide!) I'm familiar with situation, more or less...
This sad story has finished roughly three months after hijacking, Seselwa government (the Seychelles) gave cash, crew is safe and in good shape (more or less!?) and ship is lost!
 
One area to cross off the list of potential dive trips.
 

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