There are now over 600 captives in Somalia. I guess that the Somalies figured that four preaching Christinsane captives was not worth the trouble.

February 22, 2011

4 Americans on hijacked yacht dead off Somalia

U.S. Navy warship shadowing seized vessel takes action after gunshots are heard; 4 hostages apparently killed by captors, some pirates dead

(CBSNews) Updated 10:22 a.m. ET

The four Americans aboard a yacht hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia are dead.

PICTURES: 4 Americans on hijacked yacht dead off Somalia

Hijacked by Somali pirates last Friday off Oman, the Quest was being piloted toward the Somali coast - and was being shadowed by a U.S. Navy warship.

CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports that gunshots aboard the yacht were heard, and the warship took action, dispatching forces to board the Quest.

The U.S. forces found the four Americans has been shot by their captors and attempted to deliver lifesaving medical care - but all four ultimately died of their wounds, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

"During the boarding of the Quest, the reaction force was engaged by pirates on board the vessel. Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained along with two pirates already in US Forces custody," CENTCOM said. The forces also found the remains of two pirates already dead aboard the Quest.

The yacht passengers were Scott Adam and his wife, Jean, of Marina del Rey, Calif.; and Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, both of Seattle. CENTCOM said negotiations had been under way to try to win the couples' release.