British yachtsmen held captive in Iran
By IBI Magazine
Five British yachtsmen detained by the Iranian Navy last week after their Volvo 60 yacht, The Kingdom of Bahrain, inadvertently strayed into Iranian waters are said to be safe and well.
According to local news reports, the Pindar-sponsored yacht was making its way from Bahrain to Dubai for the start of the Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, which began on November 26, when it was captured in the Persian Gulf.
IBI's sister publication, Yachting Monthly, reports that the seized yacht had problems with its propeller and drifted 500 yards into Iranian waters near the island of Sirri while trying to negotiate restricted area around an oil field.
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that the five crew being held are Luke Porter, Oliver Smith, David Bloomer, Oliver Young and Sam Usher.
It is thought that Iran is holding the crew as a bargaining tool with the West over its recent criticism of Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
(1 December 2009)
|
