Petition for Chandler release

I thought the ransome had been reduced to £100,000 going by last night's news.
Why don't the public start up a fund for them (similar to the Haiti fund). That way the Government don't need deviate from their stance on not paying Pirates.

Do something please.

Hi
This morning I signed the petition for Chandler release. I also put the link on my Facebook page and a couple of Facebook groups and pages. When I went on to a Chandler group earlier to see if there was any response, I clicked on my link and a message appeared saying 'We couldn't find the petition'! Consequently I have deleted all the links. I was wondering if you would be able to perhaps throw some light on this for me. I am a little worried as I have given my personal details and I am not sure that this link is legitimate. I would be very grateful for any information that you may be able to give me. Thank you.

As your correspondent above says, there are problems accessing this petition. Can something be done as I for one would very much like to sign it?

I consider that this couple should be helped to be freed from what must be a living hell for them both and I pray that God will be with them at this time and bring about their freedom.

I have also tried to access the petition to sign it, but can't access it and can't find it on the list of petitions.

I still cannot access the petition mentioned above, but have discovered three or four petitions for the Chandlers in the REJECTED category!

PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO THE PETITION TO FREE THE CHANDLERS

I also cannot find this petition. The British Government should be doing more, God only knows what is going on over there! God help them to be freed and returned to their families.

Gordon!!! Get the Ghandler,s out of there. You have the POWER.

Please add my name if there is a petition out there as I cant find it.
We listen and wait every day in the comfort of our homes! Yes we have 2b careful where we sail these days, but this Piracy should be firmly dealt with to eradicate it. Is there a ££s collection site out there anywhere - if the Government wont do anything, people power can????

Please Add my name to the Petition to Free the Chandlers. Further to let the Pirates know either way they will pay for their actions. Kidnapping steals from all of us. They must be taught that it does not work in the long run. Otherwise they will continue.

Petitions do nothing - these pirates could care less.
With over 300 dead, and rising, in Afghanistan, the government have better things to do than go after rather stupid people who wilfully ignored advice that they would be standing into danger - they probably would not understand Flag"U" anyway.
As we used to say in the army "If you can't take a joke, don't join".
Of course the whole thing is inexpressibly sad, and one feels great sympathy for those kidnapped, particularly as the various navies on patrol seem not to have the will to put a stop to it, or perhaps it is the mealy mouthed politicians who will not allow them to take decisive action.
Face it - in traditional naval terminogy, we are now a second rate power.
It is time, I think that all the naive bright eyed dreamers understood that there is no RNLI, AA or RAC out there, and that they are truly on their own. Ocean sailors once used to understand this, and took their lumps, relying only on the traditional basis of support from one mariner for another.
I am sure this comment will draw screams of rage from those who indulge in what Lord Mountbatten called "lower deck sentimentality' - the ostentatious layers of flowers in public places; however, in my view, these thing need debating.

My sympathy is with Paul and Rachel Chandler who must be going through hell, separated and held for ransom when their world cruise turned to a nightmare. I wonder also what is the point of having a Royal Navy that appears to be doing nothing to free these British citizens? I don't call this "defence of the sea" but abject weakness. We might as well do without all these warships and people we pay billions for every year.

Apparently the location is known where the couple are held. The surgeon and reporter where allowed access. What use is all the technology and sophisticated equipment if it cannot be used for domestic use as well as war related activities. Its about time the war department, foreign office, navy and other agencies got their brains together to develop plans for these situations. It will not go away just by refusing to pay ransomes. Give the Chandlers some hope by pursuing these pirates, it appears time is running out.

Please add my name to the petition for the release of the chandlers

Harsh as it is, I agree with Stormeagle, if you sail into these dangerous waters in the knowledge that it is dangerous you take your chances. And as for comments what are the Royal Navy doing, what does the gent suggest blowing every small boat within hundreds of miles out of the water incase they are pirates, these people are the terrorists of the seas, the same sort of people the forces are fighting in Afganistan, ones that can't be readily identified.

How can you petition the Govt to pay the ransom and then bleat on about how they should take action against the pirates? Either pay them and so start a cycle .. or go kill them and free the couple or do nothing and hope that they(pirates) will realize there is no profit.. fat chance Shipping companies are paying ...

my sympathy goes out to the Chandlers they must be going through hell they need each other at there age i would'nt like to be in there position.I'm sure that if the goverment wont do anything to help ther must be money within the charities to help ie sports relief/help the aged/and others

Government threats to use the British Navy on constant alert in the area until the Somalia
Government secures

Although I sympathise with Paul and Rachel, the moment any money is paid for the release of this unfortunate couple, kidnapping cruising sailors will become a world-wide pastime.
The British navy, with their incredibly well trained and equipped specialist seals should be taking this as the perfect opportunity to show the world, and especially the pirates how “great� Britain really is - and that piracy has no benefit.
How can the world stand by and let this sort of thing happen – THEY ARE PIRATES FOR GOD SAKE! What are the warships doing out there?
I have circumnavigated once and intend to do so again. I agree with Stormeagle (Please have the courage to use your real name next time old chap) - when we set sail across oceans and the world in small boats, we should be aware that we are on our own and take the consequences. This doesn't mean we sailors have to arm ourselves to the teeth, or become paranoid every time a panga or small fishing boat changes direction towards us. We can't let this terrible and cowardly act change the pleasure we experience meeting new people and mixing with new cultures.
I don’t expect the governments of the world (and their navies) to rush to our assistance when we get ourselves into trouble, but I do expect them to face up to this scourge and take some decisive action.
Make our seas safe again!

The British navy had the opportunity to 'deal' with these pirates when the kidnapping took place. Well trained and well armed British sailors would have no trouble in applying a rule of law that these pirates would understand. But no doubt someone with a lack of courage sitting thousands of miles away made the decision not to take the opportunity that was present at the time. Yes the Chandlers could have been killed or injured in the attempt but right now they are suffering a long, slow and possibly painful death and any other yacht now in that area continues to be at risk. It was an opportunity missed to send a message as the French have done in their various commando raids on these pirates.
It's time to make a stand and meet force with force, lethal if necessary. Yes there will be risks and yes it’s possible that innocent people could be killed or injured but it’s the price we have to pay to make the seas safe. I would not willingly put myself or mine in that position but I hope, should I ever face such a situation, I will have the courage to stand up for what is right no matter the consequences.
Governments should also take a stand with the shipping companies, they continue to pay the ransoms only fueling the problem. If Governments had to foot the bill for a lost ship they would take more positive action.

If the unfortunate couple had been named Windsor or Blair or Brown they'd have been home in a matter of days.

put my name on the petition to rescue the chandlers David and Barbara riddoch.. we were in the gulf at the same time and were alongside HMS Cornwall for a short period as she headed south toward the kidnap area.same time as the kidnap Surely the British Navy could have done something

We cruisers should all sail to wherever they are held and demand their release. If enough people did this the weight of numbers could be decisive. I am prepared to do it.

Please add my name to the petition if it has not closed.

At least in defending its tanker, Russia didn't display a big yellow streak down its back that the UK showed via the British Navy, when this couple were taken.

It is so sad that this British couple have been left at the mercy of Somalian thugs,who have showed little respect for their health or well-being.

This couple need our prayers and financial support...I understand the governments stand on hostages/pirates in somalia but still you can't just leave this people to them!!.......I dont know where their family is if they have any left? or whatever but maybe a fundraiser at church? something just needs to be done for them...........

I really feel for them, but if a ransom is paid to the pirates, the first thing they will do after releasing the Chandlers, (always assuming that they do, and don't ask for more money,) will be to go out and take some more british hostages, to start all over again. So as sad as the situation is, a ransom must not be paid. I would like to see the SAS rescue them and take no prisoners, that would leave the right message. Any petition like this only serves to give the pirates more hope of getting a ransom and extends the Chandlers ordeal. If the pirates believe that they will never get any ransom, they will have to let them go as killing them would serve no purpose, except to make them wanted men, hopefully with a price on their heads.

Half the worlds' navies are in the Red Sea - SURELY there ARE enough "special Forces" to collaborate a rescue......and definately no prisoners.Piracy on the high seas - I know what Queen Elizibeth 1sr would have done!!!If there was oil production at stake they would be there like a shot - the Navy blockading and the SAS IN. !!Show these people the same lack of respect they show the worlds' mariners,goverments and ordinary folk.
As for the British Gov - this is a disgrace to our nation that the Chandlers are still there.Utter disgrace.

The fact that this hijacking took place before the eyes of the Royal naval vessel and the marines were not allowed to intervene was sickening. Who refused to give permission to save them? Was it the captain or someone back in Whitehall? why has it never been made public. The government has a moral responsibility to come clean and do whatever it takes to get them released.

The pirates' handlers based in London should be taken hostage and incarcerated in the Tower of London, even "waterboarded"!

Send out a couple of submarines and sink anything that leaves a Somali port.