Yacht Reportedly Captured Near Somalia

Salem-News.com

The yacht SY Choizil went missing off Bajuni Island of Koyaama at the Southern coast of Somalia.

Bajuni Island of Koyaama . Photo: Somalilife.com

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - As of today, at least 28 foreign vessels plus one barge are kept in Somali hands against the will of their owners, while at least 508 hostages or captives - including an elderly British yachting couple and the 5 new hostages from Somaliland.

Now information released by Ecoterra Intl. indicates that a report of a captured yacht, has been confirmed; though it leaves a number of questions.

Earlier information originating from the Seychelles through the Seafarer's networks, indicated that a sailing yacht with three persons had possibly been abducted.

A a couple of days ago, on 4 Nov., observers sighted a yacht near the Bajuni Island of Koyaama at the Southern coast of Somalia. The search was on to identify the boat, but neither the Seychelles not the network of yachts-people reported any missing yacht.

However, in a tragic event and after a chase by naval forces, who escalated the situation, it can now be reported that the yacht is named SY Choizil. The skipper, who had reportedly jumped overboard during the naval helicopter swoop, during which shots were fired, later was picked up. He is said to a South-African by nationality.

The skipper arrived in the meantime at the Kenyan harbour of Mombasa on board of a Dutch warship.

A woman and a young man are said to have been then abducted from the yacht and a presently held hostage, and questions still are open concerning a possible fourth person on board.

While the South African International Relations and Cooperation Department has now confirmed that no South African man was killed in the incident, the Spokesman for the department, Saul Molobi, would only say a man killed during the incident was not South African.