Dutch Yacht Couple Leaving Thailand Demand Navy Escort

[Buchholz]

Rene and Edith Tiemessen on their yacht, Alondra

http://www.destentor.nl/regio/apeldoorn/7382437/Zeilen-in-konvooi-langs-piraten-in-Golf-van-Aden.ece

YACHT COUPLE DEMAND NAVY WARSHIP ESCORT

Royal Navy commanders have ­condemned a couple who demanded a warship escort across the pirate-infested waters of the Indian Ocean. Rene and Edith Tiemessen, who had sailed with British kidnap victims Paul and Rachel Chandler before the pair were snatched by Somali pirates, claim they have the right to protection as they make their way home from Thailand in their 60 foot yacht, Alondra.

The Dutch couple, who are sailing with their two-year-old daughter Devi, want to cross the notorious waters despite repeated warnings for yachtsmen to avoid the area entirely. Britain currently commands Operation Atalanta, the EU anti-piracy task force, which has 27 vessels from Spain, Germany, Italy, and France patrolling an area larger than Europe. Royal Navy commanders turned down the request because they cannot spare a vessel.

Last night a Ministry of Defence source said: “We received communication from this couple, demanding protection from a naval warship, which they want to ­escort them through a stretch that could take two or three weeks to ­navigate. "This is a totally unrealistic request. The naval vessels of Operation Atalanta have to prioritise their duties, and protecting merchant vessels leave them with little scope for protecting unnecessary sailing." Speaking via satellite phone last night, Rene, 48, said: "We have been begging for help for months, because we knew we would have to make this journey. But now they have told us there is nothing they can do. It’s like asking for help from the police, and being told you are not eligible."

Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/227377/Yacht-couple-demand-Navy-warship-escortYacht-couple-demand-Navy-warship-escort#ixzz1D9IjWEEZ

Sunday Express (UK) - Feb. 6, 2011

[H2oDunc]

Just what obligation has the Thai Navy to escort a Dutch couple through international waters ? Maybe they should try DEMANDING an escort from the Dutch navy ? Like the English couple they have been warned so it is up to them if they choose to risk it.

[mstribling]

I love it when people "DEMAND" Funny thing is they will eventually get an escort, from the Euro's, definitely not the RTN.

[garyh]

What would such an exercise cost? If they so worried sell the boat and fly home.

[londonthai]

hire some armed men on the yacht and fly them back home after job done

[Orac]

Not sure the Thai navy are involved at all - indeed no involvement from Thailand apart from it being their port of departure. Royal Navy in this case will be the British Navy since it is aq quote from a UK newspaper.

[mca]

But now they have told us there is nothing they can do. It’s like asking for help from the police, and being told you are not eligible.

Strange that. I always thought the armed forces were on call for private citizens same as the police.

" Hello? Is that the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment? MCA here. Khon Kaen Thailand. My neighbour sings out of tune karaoke at all hours and refuses to stop when I politely ask him to. Plus he lets his dog crap right outside my gate. It's a poodle and I frigging hate poodles. I mean they're not real dogs are they? Don't suppose you could send a couple of Challengers round to his place and put the shits up him could you? Cheers. "

[transam]

Not sure the Thai navy are involved at all - indeed no involvement from Thailand apart from it being their port of departure. Royal Navy in this case will be the British Navy since it is aq quote from a UK newspaper.

Thai navy has just returned from a stint patrolling for pirates.

[animatic]

Definite over the top arrogance!

Many options for them, this is NOT one of them.

[JurgenG]

They should be escorted to a mental asylum and their boat sinked

But most important their daughter should be given to foster care.

Is there any law to protect kids from insane parents ?

[mca]

Being Dutch they should just use their stash of skunk and bong their way across the waters. Mellow as piss.

" Darling. There appears to be a boat full of heavily armed Somalian pirates ordering us to heave to."

" Whatever. Puff puff give remember? Don't Bogart that joint."

[TheyCallmeScooter]

But now they have told us there is nothing they can do. It's like asking for help from the police, and being told you are not eligible.

Strange that. I always thought the armed forces were on call for private citizens same as the police.

" Hello? Is that the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment? MCA here. Khon Kaen Thailand. My neighbour sings out of tune karaoke at all hours and refuses to stop when I politely ask him to. Plus he lets his dog crap right outside my gate. It's a poodle and I frigging hate poodles. I mean they're not real dogs are they? Don't suppose you could send a couple of Challengers round to his place and put the shits up him could you? Cheers. "

555

"Oh finally! Is this Central Air Command? Oh my god! Do you have any idea how long I've been on hold??! Look, never mind that now. This is an urgent joint tactical air strike request. I need you to coordinate with our boys in green to deliver simultaneous bombardment onto these exact coordinates: 13.7505,100.5548. Artillery fire, correct. I don't care what payload you send down, just whatever you got lying around, and lots of it. My preference would be napalm. My crazy ex-wife has locked me out of my own house. I have authority to level my own god dam_n house, god dammit.. Yes, I'm hoping for maximum 'collateral' damage. Right, strike has been called in? Roger that, I'll take cover. Hoorah etc."

[JurgenG]

But now they have told us there is nothing they can do. It's like asking for help from the police, and being told you are not eligible.

Strange that. I always thought the armed forces were on call for private citizens same as the police.

" Hello? Is that the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment? MCA here. Khon Kaen Thailand. My neighbour sings out of tune karaoke at all hours and refuses to stop when I politely ask him to. Plus he lets his dog crap right outside my gate. It's a poodle and I frigging hate poodles. I mean they're not real dogs are they? Don't suppose you could send a couple of Challengers round to his place and put the shits up him could you? Cheers. "

A while ago, I call the navy base close to me home to borrow a RPG because I needed to solve a problem with my neighbor.

As it was paid with my tax money I wasn't thinking it was a big problem

Right ...

If people with short hair ask for me, you don't know me t ...

[bbradsby]

ah, I am planning to trek across the lawless territories of one of the 'Stan countries. Think I'll demand an escort from the US Military as my right to be protected no matter the stupidity of my personal exploits... I say send them the bill, payable in advance.

[Beetlejuice]

If only the woman had been a little younger and a bit more attractive, I would have escorted her myself.

[mca]

RING RING.......RING RING....

"999 Emergency. Which service do you require?"

" HMS Illustrious please."

[Buchholz]

Just what obligation has the Thai Navy to escort a Dutch couple through international waters ? Maybe they should try DEMANDING an escort from the Dutch navy ? Like the English couple they have been warned so it is up to them if they choose to risk it.

I believe they are asking more so for the multi-national Navy task force to provide protection once they get within its range in the Indian Ocean.

Conversely, they could just have the $900,000 ransom on board that their former yachting mates, the Chandlers, paid when they were kidnapped by these pirates, and thus avoid the year in captivity the Chandlers had to deal with until paying.

.

[TheyCallmeScooter]

Might be time for Somali Cruises to expand their operations...

They are pretty highly recommended by their clients...

Testimonials

"I got three confirmed kills on my last trip. I'll never hunt big game in Africa again. I felt like the Komandant in Schindlers list!" -- Lars , Hamburg Germany

"Six attacks in 4 days was more than I expected. I bagged three pirates and my 12yr old son sank two rowboats with the minigun. PIRATES: 0 - PASSENGERS: 32! Well worth the trip. Just make sure your spotter speaks English" -- Donald, Salt Lake city Utah USA

"I haven't had this much fun since flying choppers in NAM . Don't worry about getting shot by pirates as they never even got close to the ship with those weapons they use and their shitty aim--reminds me of a drunken'juicer' door gunner we picked up from the motor pool back in Nam" -- 'chopper' Dan, Toledo USA.

"Like ducks in a barrel. They turned the ship around and we saw them cry in the water like little girls. Saw one wounded pirate eaten by sharks--what a laugh riot! This is a must do." -- Zeke, Springs Kentucky USA

[mark45y]

“Edith, I am not going to call the Navy.”

“Honey, you never know unless you ask. Remember that nice sailor in Pattaya?”

“That wasn't a real sailor suit Edith, he was a dancer.”

[H2oDunc]

Well done chaps.Some classics ! Nice to see so much humour alive and kicking on TV. Makes a refreshing change Long may it last !

[robblok]

Im Dutch.. and they are idiots. Let them pay for their own safety, why would others have to pay for their trip.

[asiawatcher]

Well done chaps.Some classics ! Nice to see so much humour alive and kicking on TV. Makes a refreshing change Long may it last !

Agree - but again - I am not sure these guys would have 'demanded' it seems to me that is the journo ramping it up. If I were the Dutch couple's advisors, I would not risk it - simply drop anchor for a lot longer and wait it out. 5 - 10 years should do it!

[garyh]

Im Dutch.. and they are idiots. Let them pay for their own safety, why would others have to pay for their trip.

You mean like going on a date and going Dutch with the bill?

[RKASA]

I am sure they never really expected an escort. They may have expected to bring attention again to the problem. To bad it is not really a new problem and sailing across open seas has always included many risks.

Try a visit to San Diego on the trip home it takes longer but much safer once you clear SEA.

[warfie]

The dangerous pirates are in the Indian ocean.... they should just go around the other way....

[Daffy D]

Perhaps "demand" is too strong a word but I don't think requesting a possible escort it too way off.

Various navies are just steaming round in circles looking for pirates and if by chance they do happen to come across any there seems very little they can do anyway.

If they are patrolling anyway why not escort a vessel through the troubled area, I'm sure this couple are not the only ones wanting to travel this route so perhaps they could organize a convoy to escort.

At least the various navies would be seen to be doing something positive instead of whining that the area too large to patrol effectively.

[Buchholz]

The Alondra:

Their proposed route

They want other yachts in Phuket to join them on their journey...

(sounds like Scooter's Post # 18)

Rally/convoy heading to the Red Sea

'Thailand to Turkey - organised by Alondra, who has been sailing in Thailand since 2007'

The Tiemessen family, sailing in their Phillip Rhodes designed sloop, Alondra, a 60 ft classic yacht, are heading from Thailand to Turkey via the Red Sea, and organising an informal rally or convoy for the journey, beginning the transit in early 2011.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) strongly recommends against travelling this route because of the pirate activity in the area, but it doesn't stop dozens of yachts from making the journey.

Alondra has already transited this area in 2007 in the reverse direction, visiting Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Oman, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives on their way to Thailand. On board for the voyage back to the Mediterranean are Rene and Edith Tiemessen, their two-year-old daughter Devi, all from the Netherlands, and American crew member Kate Schafer.

While reluctant to divulge details of the plan on the internet for security reasons, the couple are confident, using the experience of their own previous passage and innumerable transits by others. In addition, they remind us, on their website, that no leisure yacht has been attacked by Somali pirates in the most recent season.

Sail-World.com

http://www.sail-world.com/cruising/usa/Rally-convoy-heading-to-the-Red-Sea/74098

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[David006]

The dangerous pirates are in the Indian ocean.... they should just go around the other way....

via Indonesia...South Africa...did they not used to occupy some of that.....the Dutch are famous for short arms deep pockets ....always want to be on the winning side

.....tough...Go ask YOUR queen guys ....your courts thought 15 yo Laura Dekker was able to sail alone ...so can you!!! Yerra Mon!!

[zydeco]

If only the woman had been a little younger and a bit more attractive, I would have escorted her myself.

Dutch and German women do not age well. Their sell by date is easily 30-33.

[Buchholz]

On board for the voyage back to the Mediterranean are Rene and Edith Tiemessen, their two-year-old daughter Devi, all from the Netherlands, and American crew member Kate Schafer.

I wish little Devi all the luck in the world onboard the Alondra against the potential Somali pirates she may face:

Devi Tiemessen (born in Phuket, Thailand)

Her seafaring parents website:

http://www.tiemessen.com/english/index-en.html

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