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Subscribe to RSSWhen Britons Paul and Rachel Chandler finally gained their freedom from captivity after having been held for months in Africa, they began to plan their next adventure – another journey across the ocean. NBC News' Tazeen Ahmad reports.
DARTMOUTH, England -- Almost three years after Paul and Rachel Chandler were snatched at gunpoint and taken hostage by Somali pirates, they are returning to the high seas - in the same yacht.
The British pair were taken prisoner for 388 days while sailing in the Indian Ocean in October 2009 with the pirates demanding a $7-million ransom, a sum the Chandlers knew was far beyond what their family and friends could raise. Hidden in Somalia, they faced the risk of disease and feared getting caught in the cross-fire between multiple gangs or being sold to al-Qaida.
Their torment now just a memory, the Chandlers are due to set off later this week on a six-month cruise to Brazil aboard the Lynn Rival.
"It's our life," Paul told NBC News. "Our yacht ... enabled us to get our sanity back. We won't be beaten by these guys."
The most striking thing about the couple is not that they emerged unscathed from captivity but just how intensely close they are. The strength of their marriage was key to helping them survive the 13-month long nightmare at the hands of Somali pirates.
Courtesy Chandler family
Paul and Rachel Chandler's yacht was returned to them after their kidnap ordeal at the hands of Somali pirates.
Married for more than 30 years, Rachel often finishes Paul's sentences for him, while he hangs on her every word; they grin at each other constantly as if sharing a private joke.
Throughout our interview at a quiet marina in Devon, on the southwest coast of England, they inched closer together, often leaning in to whisper reassurances or give a squeeze of the hand.
Courtesy Chandler family
Rachel Chandler was photographed by her husband Paul while being held hostage in Somalia.
Rachel, 58, is the chattier of the two with twinkling blue eyes and an easy smile. Paul, 61, is softly-spoken and amiable, but more reserved than his gregarious wife. Underneath the friendly banter there is a steely determination that must have served them well when they faced their biggest challenge at sea.
Somali pirates claim to kill hostage over ransom delay
As we sit aboard the Lynn Rival, the Chandlers recounted how they had just enjoyed a break in the Seychelles in October 2009 before setting sail for Tanzania. It was then that their trip turned into a living hell.
'Morbid souvenir'
The pirates launched their attack in the middle of the night while Rachel was on watch. She recalls hearing the engine of their vessel approach, a light was shone and then 10 men armed with guns and knives jumped on board yelling. A terrified Rachel froze. She shows me what she calls a "morbid souvenir," a sharp knife in its leather sheath belonging to one of the pirates. She giggles as she admits to having also kept one of the pirate's torn flip-flops; we joke about her putting it up for auction on eBay.
In their months as prisoners, the couple sometimes wondered if they should have jumped into the midnight ocean at that moment. However, they know that it would only have meant certain death. Instead they spent six days in confined space with Somali pirates while they and their boat were brought to a container ship. From there they realized bigger plans were afoot.
"We knew we were going to be taken on shore, and when we landed on Somalia, then it really hit home and that was a real low point," Paul said.
Courtesy Chandler family
Rachel Chandler, photographed here by her husband during their 388 days in captivity, says she "never stopped wanting to go out to sea."
The couple were taken in-land where they were held for 382 more days. Somali pirates assume that all Westerners are extremely wealthy, especially those able to take a yacht to sea.
Paul, a Cambridge University-educated civil engineer, and Rachel, a former government economist, embarked on a part-time sailing lifestyle in 2005 but knew that raising the $7-million ransom would be almost impossible.
"They knew that had to keep us alive and so they did feed us most of the time," says Rachel. "At times they tried to threaten us, obviously encourage us to beg for money when they allowed us to speak to our family. All they wanted was money."
Author Jay Bahadur, who spent a year among the Somali pirates, breaks down their business model, start-up costs, and busts myths about how they choose their target.
From Sept. 2010: Pirates, insurers profit from high-seas raids
The weeks and months that followed were difficult. The couple had their hopes of being released dashed so many times, they soon learned to ignore the pirates attempts to upset them. Largely, the couple say, they came to no harm, although Paul does add they were beaten once. This was after they resisted the captors' attempts to separate them. The separation hit Rachel, in particular, very hard.
"I couldn't eat, I couldn't function, I couldn't think," she says. "I was worrying all the time about how Paul was and what pressure they are putting him under and whether he was well and still alive."
During this time Paul tried to befriend his captors while Rachel says she coped by daydreaming of rescue, recalling happier times and focusing on getting through from one day to the next.
The pirates were brought aboard the U.S.S. John C. Stennis, the same ship Iran's navy threatened on Tuesday. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
In total they were held for 388 days, during which time Paul's elderly father passed away.
Their families finally managed to raise a fraction of the ransom demanded – about $440,000. The pirates took this but refused to return the couple. The couple's relatives were devastated -- and allege that they had very little help or guidance from the British government.
"Some governments have a reputation of being hard – the French and the Americans particularly," Paul said. "They want to send a message: Don't mess with our citizens. The British government hasn't had the will to do that. "
Report: Alarming rise in piracy off coast of West Africa
In the end, help came from an unexpected quarter. A British-Somali businessman reportedly raised some more cash and with some negotiation, secured their release.
The news flashed across the world. Unbeknownst to them, during their time in captivity the couple had become household names in Britain. The now-famous footage showing their moment of freedom has them looking thin and frail but chatting happily.
ITV's Juliet Bremner reports on Paul and Rachel Chandler, who were released after being held by Somali pirates for more than one year.
A stronger, healthier Rachel now tells me through smiles she was stunned by the coverage.
"It was the same time as [Myanmar's opposition leader] Aung San Suu Kyi [was freed] and to be next to her in the headlines was just unbelievable for us."
EU forces attack Somali pirates on land for 1st time
In the time since, the couple have not had any counseling but they say writing their book, "Hostage: A Year at Gunpoint with Somali Gangsters" has provided closure. But the most cathartic times may yet lie ahead, when they take Lynn Rival back to sea.
"I never stopped wanting to go out to sea," Rachel says. "What happened to us was an extremely unlucky experience. It hasn't changed my love of sailing, cruising or traveling."
They laugh at suggestions that they are either "bonkers or brave"; their biggest concern is neither flashbacks nor pirates striking again but more their physical fitness. But when pushed, Paul does hint at a new cautiousness.
"It's a shame because every time we are approached by a little boat at sea, it's probably a fisherman wanting to give you fish in exchange for a cigarette or a bit of water, but we will be more wary."
After what they've been through, no one, least of all a friendly fisherman, would blame them.
Follow NBC News' Tazeen Ahmad on Twitter.
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Leave a Comment:
What an extraordinary and inspirational account of human endurance! We should all keep it in mind as we take for granted our daily obstacles, or complain about what's not going right in our lives.
Godspeed guys.... The human spirit can not be broken. Please blog your progress in Brasil as I would like to keep up with your journey. Does he look like Phil Collins or what?
One reason why we should have armed patrol boats sinking any ship out of that port. Yeah libs, I am heartless, but it's time to show the world we aren't the pussies tha current admimistration wants us to be.
commonsensedude-1080861:
Your post lacks any common sense whatsoever. This current administration has done more to combat piracy than the previous two put together. Also if you knew what a "lib" was, then you'd also know that "libs" want action taken against these pirates as well.
Can commonsensedude be sued for not having any?
Piracy will never be dealt with in a manner that makes sense because it is not about the safety of humanity. It's about charging you more for your piracy insurance so greedy fat asses reap the benefits of your fear. And not only that, YOUR government will not go to bat for you if you're nabbed by these cowardly pirates. Some world we live in, isn't it.
We need to get out of the 'endless wars' that BUSH started and put our navy over there and blow these cretins out of the water. Somalia does not need 'nation building' they need their ass kicked.
Joe Veteran: You live in a fantasy world - the US has been patrrolling the region for over 30 years - this administration has done nothing more than previous administrations - the signifcant difference is they trumpet their very few successful interdiction's and are mum about all of their very many failures resulting in loss of American lives that surprisingly do not make it in to the press.
About this couple sailing again - more power to them - if they decide once again to sail through the same dangerous waters well stupid is as stupid does - if I was family I certainly would not contribute to their ransom a second time
Dumb is the guy that wrote the article...... Tazeen Ahmad
Where is it said that 388 days equals "Almost three years"?!?!?
Why don't these dumb butts learn that you should not sail close to these shores?
Hey Kevin, I wouldn't call someone dumb when your post obviously needs help too. It's been almost 3 years since the couple was snatched from their boat. That happened in October of 2009. They were released 388 days later in November of 2010. In October of this year it will have been 3 years since they were snatched. He wasn't saying that 388 days equals 3 years, and his reporting was right on the mark. Maybe you should read it again.
Actually ready...they weren't so much released as they were exchanged for $$$'s. And since this had happened quite a bit in this area previous to their kidnapping, I can't believe they were stupid enough to sail in the same area.
No one deserves the treatment they received, but they didn't do anything to protect themselves either. Consequently, I don't have the hero worship for them that so many of you seem to.
HOw unfortunate would it be if they are caught again? I wouldn't want to imagine that horror.
I hope they give every penny they make off that book back to the people that coughed up that dough for their release.
They are selfish people, really only living for themselves, but then expecting others to come to their rescue when they get into trouble.
THESE PEOPLE are idiots. we should not spend more tax dollars trying to save thier sorry butts next time
Brenda, you incredible idiot. This was a British couple, who received no help from our government, or that of their own, for that matter. Their family and friends raised the ransom, and a businessman helped with the negotiations. No government was ever involved. Now they are going back to their lives, rather than living in terror of what happened to them. Good on them.
You, on the other hand, are an incredible buffoon, and I'm deeply saddened that four more buffoons agree with you.
Bravo to the Chandler's for their desire to set sail again, but with a word of advice. Stay away from Africa. Far away!
Dumb is not learning from past experience. I hope the US doesn't have to risk the lives of our military to rescue them if they get into trouble.
Instead of flushing trillions of dollars down the toilet on stupid wars that make nobody safe, US military could be doing a lot more to wipe out piracy. But I guess that is not profitable enough for the military industrial complex.
If they didn't learn the first time and they are taken again OH well that will be their problem not ours and that should be a fact.
Dumb is not learning from past experience.
And no matter how many people die in car accidents each day I bet you drive. Should rescue workers not waste time on you if you get into a wreck? After all, you knew the risks of driving.
they are not u.s. citizens...try reading the article...........
when did that stop us from doing stupid stuff
I always agree with your post because you use common sense and think about your responses based on what the article is about. Your asking the impossible if you want some of the posters to actually read the article instead of making comments based on the articles title. Good luck with that one.
@Johnny
Driving to work a necessity.
Sailing around the world on your yacht is a luxury.
Sailing around the world then daring pirate infested waters is stupidity.
Bruce
Again, you misunderstood the article and you haven't a clue about the couples life. Sailing around the world in a small yacht is NOT a luxury, its a lifestyle!and NOT a luxurious one at all. They live on rations and what they can fish for, no TV and very little for modern amenities. A yacht can be bought for less than a small house nowadays and come with no land taxes. I know many people that choose to live on a boat not because its luxurious, but because its cheaper and simpler. BTW - Driving to work is NOT a necessity, public transit is much safer and cheaper.
Following your hearts desire is not dumb...obviously you have no life....
Actually, the fact that they aren't US citizens means little. NATO nations have sent warships to protect the high seas from piracy, regardless of the nationality of the hostages. The US Navy took action against pirates after they attacked IRANIAN fishermen. Who cares what country the victims of piracy come form? Any excuse to blow some of these scum from the water is fine with me. I am a particular fan of the French navy. They will pursue pirates for hours until they are either captured or dead...
Bruce,
Daring pirate infested waters is stupid? That's you argument? Let the pirates win. Ok
Sorry but you still statistically more likely to die by an automobile than by pirates.
They should cower like babies because theri is danger out there?
Good thing Columbus thought differently lol.
I think if they are dumb enough to do this again...then...we shouldn't have to save them when it happens again! "Stupid is as stupid does..."
Johnny Concerned: I don't understand your "let the pirate win" comment. The pirates' goal is not to chase all shipping away from their shores. They win when they capture a ship and crew and receive a ransom for it.
Where in the article does it say that they are going back into pirate infested waters? There are lots of areas of the world that are safe for people to sail through. People sail through them every day. Maybe they picked one of those.
Robert the comment was a philosophical comment.
They beat us if they scare us enough not to do that which we love.
ready2change, they knew there were pirates in the area where they sailed and got captured. In fact, they were warned not to go into those waters because of heightened pirate activities, but they did it anyway. I wouldn't bet money on them not going back in the same area. Senile and crazy.
johnny_concerned, driving is an action that is undertaken to get to a job in order to earn a paycheck and feed your family, among other things. Sailing in a part of the world that is well-known to be frequented by pirates is utter stupidity. Do not compare the two.
demar.... I will compare the two thank you have a good day.
That's the spirit, guys! Godspeed to you! Sailing is the best way to retire and see the world. My plan as well.
Yeah, thats the spirit. If you get hijacked again, ain't no help coming. No Carol, you heard from 3 idiots. Right Max?
Most seas are free from pirates and quite safe for cruising. I'm sure they will avoid areas where piracy is a problem. I sail myself and know lots of people who live on sailboats. It is a lot safer than driving through the South Side of Chicago.
Hey riverman, such a baseless comment to make when the bottom line is that you nor the governments did anything to begin with. It was their family and friends and a lone businessman that actually had a heart that secured their release. If it were for people such as yourself, they'd still be there or dead by now so just maybe your comments of if they get hijacked again they'll receive no help is a numnuts approach to taking unearned credit for their relase to begin with.
Their are idiots born everyday and guess we just heard about two (2) more if they are taken again that is their fault because they are flirting with danger and they seem to like it and sadly that is their fact.
Carol, at what age did you first become infatuated with run-on sentences and what accounts for your persistent aversion to periods and commas?
Atta girl, Carol. Live in fear. The rest of us (idiots I guess) choose to live and overcome and move on. Not all experiences are good but at least we're not afraid to follow our dreams. Someone might as well dig the hole for you. You're clearly dead already. My condolences.
Carol -- don't you mean 'There' are idiots born everyday?
No, Carol has a special fondness for butchering the English language.
With run-on sentences and atrocious spelling, we'll take that comment from the source Carol. Idiots, yeah, they're out there Carol. Be very aware!
The stories they can tell their Grandkids. Guess they can write a book too. Maybe people should stay at least 500 miles away from Somalia.
Not to be harsh but you wouldn't catch me within 3,000 miles of the Indian Ocean. I hope they have nice trip---but might I suggest the Bahamas? Just like those kids taken near the border of Iran a while back, why even put yourself in that situation? To me nothing---nothing is worth the safety of my loved ones, why risk it--steer well clear of areas that are known to be hostile to Westerners. And if you don't know where those areas are might I suggest a trip to the local store instead. To be sure no where is truly safe and bad things could happen anywhere. That said there are place that are a bigger risk than others, Iran, North Korea, the Indian Ocean, certain Latin American countries etc. Sorry to sound harsh but I have no sympathy for those that put themselves in places like these.
I am all for having a well armed ship disguised as a privately owned one sail into these waters as bait for the pirates. When the pirates attack blow them out of the water. It's time for another Barbary Coast War.
Three years and 388 days don't correlate. Maybe the couple headed back to sea 3 years after they commenced their journey; meanwhile they were held for 388 days.
It has been a well-documented fact that sailing in that part of the world is extremely dangerous - it was quite irrisponsible of them to them do so and put themselves - and any others who might try to rescue them - at risk. People should be made aware that they sail there AT THEIR OWN RISK - and that no ransoms will be paid (unless by their own families) nor rescue attempts made. We do not negotiate with terrorists - nor should we with these so-called 'pirates'. When caught they should be all hanged according to centuries old laws still on the books. For them to attempt another long ocean sailing reminds me of the saying 'fool me once - shame on you - fool me twice - shame on me'. Lets hope they don't get a Darwin Award for this try.
So I'm guessing that you would also suggest if you've ever been in a an accident, quit driving? Or if you've ever been mugged, quit going outside? Despite the publicity, piracy is still very rare. Your chances of being in an accident on the road are far greater than you're chances of being kidnapped by pirates. Piracy gets a lot of press because of some of the big ships that have been taken out by Somalia and Nigeria. But those kinds of attacks are still exceptionally rare, considering the size of the seas and the number of ships going through them.
And BTW - every long-voyage sailor knows very well that they are on their own when on the high seas, and that the chances for rescue even from natural disasters is very low. So give it a rest.
I wouldnt quit driving but I certainly wouldnt drive into a dangerous area where my white/female/american ass is a target for robbery/rape/car jacking...especially if it has already happened. Seems like both common/street sense to stay away from dangerous areas known to be hostile to what/whomever you are, and if I was STUPID enough to go there with NO protection/weapon of any kind the first time, I SURE AS HELL wouldn't make that mistake again. Its their lives tho.....not mine.... so whatever. As for my chances of being in a car accident being greater than that of getting kidnapped, of course your right about that and that is why I carry an emergency kit in my car and have access to a cell phone to call for help. Additionally, my odds of surviving a car accident are astronomically higher than being kidnapped....greater risk of loss of life = higher level of avoidance of cause.
They must have a bunch of cash in the bank. After paying back the $400k+ that was raised by family and friends to gain their release, they seem to have enough to go on another trip.
People keep saying they're fools for "doing it again". Can one of you please explain to me how it is you get to Brazil from the UK via the Indian Ocean? Maybe it's time to brush up on your geography. It seems to me that the dangers of the open ocean are far greater then the dangers pirates present.
lets see;
the brits pay up,
the french babble on
and the u.s. just lets some seals use the pirate's for target practice.
yep we do something right
IA.ScooterTramp:
Exactly!
Right on two counts but you are wrong about the French. They are just as serious in the battle against piracy as we are. Look up the story from about a year ago. The idiot pirates approached and fired on a French naval vessel. The French vessel then chased these idiots for two hours until they surrendered. All of them where arrested and transported to France to be tried for piracy. I would have preferred summary execution, but jail will do...
This is not a story about this couple. Read between the lines and it is a story about governments that do too little to combat terrorism. What kind of world allows an average couple to be kidnapped and held? It reminds me of the Carter administration. HORRIBLE.
Having said that, all the best to the couple...Godspeed on your new adventure.
We are not their "Daddy's" Troy.....If you are dumb enough to put yourself in that position, you get what you asked for.
And now they are back ???????
You call it "godspeed on your new adventure"......I call it "not too bright"......
"average couple " ???????? Give us a break.!!!!!!!!
The Carter administration? You mean the administration behind whose back Ronald Reagan made an illegal deal with the terrorists - "hostages for weapons, once I'm elected"?
I hope they don't sail into pirate infested waters again.
Well bully crap for them! I don't want one cent of my tax dollars going to get these two fruitcakes out of trouble, again!
Congress should have passed the law years ago. You want to be a fruitcake with nuts on top, and go where you don't belong, then you don't get American hard earned tax money to bail your sorry A**s out with!
These people make me sick with their holier than thou attitude and reckless regard for their own lives.
Steven:::: Glad to see that there is someone besides me that is tired of our dollars paying for these "morons, yes MORONS" that do stupid things and expect others to bail them out.
For you people that think these acts are OK, then YOU go get them.
You're hemorrhaging, Steven.
Can someone show me where the article states that American taxpayer dollars were spent on these people. Stop thinking America is called for every international situation. 80%, yes, but every? No.
JB-1717005:
Never...ever...use logic when responding to a ranter that didn't even read the article.
YOUR tax dollars? The funds that went to ransom these people were private funds, plus they are British, so any tax dollars that were spent on them were British ( that would be pounds or euros.) Get over yourself. I personally would like to see my tax dollars spent on a lot of things different that what they are. So what?
Kept reading the article for the reason these two dum-dums decided to sail through known Pirate territory in the first place. They raised 440,000 but still kept their yacht? That must feel great to the pensioner that contributed to their ransom. Can't wait to see what sympathy they try to dredge up in their next mishap.
"What happened to us was an extremely unlucky experience."
So speaks the idiot who's learned nothing from her experience.
Don't worry Bruce. No one will take away your right to waste your life getting high and watching South Park.
If someone decides to dare pirate infested waters then call it "extremely unlucky" they're either willfully ignorant or just plain ignorant. You can contribute to their next ransom.
Somalia: The Tea-Party paradise with low taxes, small government and plenty of social conservatism.
Hey: my dog is smarter thatn the Tea Party members, and he is DEAD.
apolitical.
I think I saw yor dogs name on the DNC accepted voter log.
commonsensedude- Man, talk about a misnomer.
AAARG !
I am glad they are well, but the parts of the world they are sailing should be avoided. Also, if your planing on going someplace potentially dangerous, take a weapon or three. If I was going someplace dangerous, like when I went to Iraq, I took a weapon for self defense. Going into pirate infested areas, I'd take at least an uzi, and maybe a rpg.
I am glad they are well, but the parts of the world they are sailing should be avoided. Also, if your planing on going someplace potentially dangerous, take a weapon or three. If I was going someplace dangerous, like when I went to Iraq, I took a weapon for self defense. Going into pirate infested areas, I'd take at least an uzi, and maybe a rpg.
What's the odds of lightning striking in the same place twice?
I'm willing to bet that those same odds apply to being abducted by pirates.
Enjoy your retirement, living in fear isn't living.
Its their lives they can do whatever they want.
Sure hope they don't think their families and friends will dig up another half million dollars to save them again!
OK lets recap for the idiots jumping in with knee jerk reactions without reading and comprehending the article -
The couple is British
They weren't rescued by US Seals
A British/Somalian businessman negotiated and paid for their release
They are off to Brazil, in the opposite direction of Somalia, so won't be repeating the risk
They live in England and so it didn't cost you, or your government anything for them to be back out sailing
It you can't understand what you are reading, may I suggest you get help before the November elections so you fully understand the issues in front of you?
LOL!! Nicely done, Stephan. I often feel like explaining things to the average moron "reading" things here. :)
It does cost us first they should have been left there to die. It is not news to anyone not to go anywhere near there because of the pirates. Second we do have ships there which are costing us money. And three the money the pirates got gives them and other people there a reason to do it again and again.
I didn't read anything in the article about US Seals?
But I did read "they had very little help or guidance from the British government".
Wake up! There are Pirates in the Caribbean (and not the movie either). Drug cartels take yachts to run drugs - have been for 20+ years. Cruise ships have carries Barrett 50 Cals for years to fend them off.
.
Judging from your pic I'd say you're having trouble with that period.
No..I posted as a new comment and just wanted to do a reply comment to #23.
Do you know who that is in the picture? He might be running for president in 2016...(god help us all if he does).