Michael Scott Moore: Kidnapped - A Story of Survival

Subject: Michael Scott Moore on Captivity and Somali Piracy in The Desert and the Sea

• Background and Motivation:

  • Moore transitioned from theater criticism and surfing journalism to piracy reporting after a 2011 German trial of ten pirates sparked his interest.
  • He identified a legal anomaly in Germany, where piracy laws were archaic and lenient despite being tried in a modern state.
  • Modern Somali piracy evolved from local fishing protection rackets (approx. $50,000) in the mid-2000s into a major transnational business by 2005 following the hijacking of an oil tanker.

• The Capture and Initial Conditions:

  • Moore traveled to Somalia with Indian documentarian Ashwin Raman, arranged by a local clan contact; the clan later turned against him as pirates targeted both journalists.
  • Raman escaped safely to Mogadishu, while Moore was abducted a week later on a road by 12 gunmen in a "technical" (armored truck), sustaining a broken wrist.
  • Initial detention involved land-based camps before being transferred to a hijacked tuna vessel anchored near Hobyo, which Moore noted offered better food (including fresh sashimi) and company than isolation.
  • The pirate network initially demanded $20 million, reducing it to $19.8 million after ten months.

• Negotiation and Communication Strategy:

  • Moore's mother became the primary point of contact after pirates confiscated his notes and he called home; she negotiated with advice from the FBI.
  • Moore's first counter-offer was approximately $8,000, which he found shocking but admired for its calmness.
  • U.S. and German authorities, along with his publisher Der Spiegel, advised keeping the story quiet to avoid driving up the ransom price, a policy the pirates resented as they monitored news outlets for confirmation of his identity.
  • The final ransom amount was approximately $1.6 million.

• Escape Attempt and Release:

  • After six months aboard the ship, Moore attempted to escape by jumping into the ocean when the ship's anchor broke; he swam for thirty minutes before realizing the ship was drifting back toward him, forcing him to return.
  • The escape attempt resulted in punishment, including a beating and solitary confinement.
  • In the final weeks, guards hinted at a strike due to lack of pocket money, providing Moore's first inkling of an impending deal.
  • Release occurred via a chaotic phone call, followed by transport to a bush plane and flight to Mogadishu; Moore returned to surfing in Southern California by Thanksgiving.

• Legal and Policy Context:

  • U.S. piracy laws date back 200–300 years and historically mandated the death penalty, though modern sentences are commuted to approximately 36 years.
  • Moore argues that the U.S. "no ransom" policy is often misunderstood; while the government discourages public funding, private family payments are not illegal.
  • He suggests that consistent rescue operations may be more effective at deterring kidnappings than a rigid non-payment stance, as pirates often ignore national policies.
  • Moore notes that rescue capabilities are limited to a few nations, and special operations should only be used when intelligence is sound.