Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management

Private Yacht hijacked off Yemen then rescued same day as Danish family release! September 11, 2011

On the day that a Danish family was released after months in captivity, an unidentified sailing yacht was taken by pirates on September 08, 2011 off the coast of Yemen: Latitude 15 27 N Longitude 052 14 E.

The yacht has now been identified as the catamaran TRIBAL KAT, heading west to east and crewed by the owners, a French couple Christian and Evelyne Colombo.  The pirates’ vessel was sunk by a Spanish warship the SPS GALICIA and Evelyne Colombo recovered unharmed and 7 pirates arrested, however,  her husband Christian is missing and is reported to have been killed during the initial hijack.

Owners of private vessels are urged to seriously consider avoiding High Risk Waters, as we’re seeing an increase in the numbers of private vessels attacked.  As is the tragic case here, pirates are becoming far more violent with killing of hostages during violent takeovers becoming routine.