On the road

Gaza convoy, autumn 2010

The "Road to Hope" politically-independent humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza, October & November 2010, including the journey and the kidnapping incident where a group of 10 convoy members and 7 Libyan police / port officials were taken to sea against their will aboard the Strofades IV ferry, its car loading ramp open to the sea, and lifejackets denied to those kidnapped... This set does not include…  (read more)
Moneybags I

Moneybags I

08 Nov 2010 26
Eyes of Ken

Eyes of Ken

11 Nov 2010 46
Also published elsewhere, and taken with Anwar's camera (hence the EXIF data, not to mention the fact that it's a JPEG not RAW, so I've been unable to fix the chromatic abberation properly!) but please note, always © Kieran Turner. All proceeds from use will go to Aid Convoy.
Mayday, mayday, mayday!

Mayday, mayday, mayday!

11 Nov 2010 64
It's been reported elsewhere, and I don't want to write too much here until legal proceedings against the owner and captan are completed, but in short, a group from our humanitarian aid convoy, including myself, were kidnapped! Here we see the VHF radio we managed to find, with which we sent out our SOS! Photo also published elsewhere, and taken with Anwar's camera (hence the EXIF data) but please note, always © Kieran Turner. All proceeds from use will go to Aid Convoy.
"This is NATO warship..."

"This is NATO warship..."

11 Nov 2010 54
It's been reported elsewhere, and I don't want to write too much here until legal proceedings against the owner and captan are completed, but in short, a group from our humanitarian aid convoy, including myself, were kidnapped! Here we see the VHF radio we managed to find, with which we sent out our SOS! Photo also published elsewhere, and taken with Anwar's camera (hence the EXIF data) but please note, always © Kieran Turner. All proceeds from use will go to Aid Convoy.
Scene of the crime

Scene of the crime

11 Nov 2010 35
It's been reported elsewhere, and I don't want to write too much here until legal proceedings against the owner and captan are completed, but in short, a group from our humanitarian aid convoy, including myself, were kidnapped! Here we see one of the lifeboats of the vessel on which we were held. Photo also published elsewhere, and taken with Anwar's camera (hence the EXIF data) but please note, always © Kieran Turner. All proceeds from use will go to Aid Convoy.
Lifeboat!

Lifeboat!

11 Nov 2010 34
It's been reported elsewhere, and I don't want to write too much here until legal proceedings against the owner and captan are completed, but in short, a group from our humanitarian aid convoy, including myself, were kidnapped! Here we see one of the lifeboats of the vessel on which we were held. Photo also published elsewhere, and taken with Anwar's camera (hence the EXIF data) but please note, always © Kieran Turner. All proceeds from use will go to Aid Convoy.
Our communications relay, OOCL Oakland

Our communications relay, OOCL Oakland

11 Nov 2010 67
The Oakland, no doubt at considerable cost, stayed within range of our portable VHF radio so that he could relay the communications which ensued from our distress call after the kidnapping. A truly professional captain to whom we are extremely grateful!
Hands up!

Hands up!

12 Nov 2010 44
Libyan port authority

Libyan port authority

12 Nov 2010 41
Commandos approach

Commandos approach

12 Nov 2010 35
The Greek "MIA" commandos. These guys were brilliant. Because, of course, they didn't immediately understand what was going on, they treated us and the crew (the kidnappers) equally. This was reassuring and just what we wanted. And in marked contrast to the mostly (though not entirely) rather unpleasant Greek police who hugged the captain, wore no uniforms, and told us they didn't have to (and should not!) show us any identification.
The crew preventing us following the orders from the Greek military

The crew preventing us following the orders from t…

12 Nov 2010 38
The commandos had shouted to us to let down a rope ladder to their Zodiac, so that they could board safely. The captain shouted to the crew to stop us, which they did with some violence. About half an hour later, presumably either realising the severity of his position, or attempting to appear co-operative, he ordered the crew to let down the very same ladder! Also published elsewhere, and taken with Anwar's camera (hence the EXIF data) but please note, always © Kieran Turner. All proceeds from use will go to Aid Convoy.
"Captain Bonkers"

"Captain Bonkers"

12 Nov 2010 47
As he has been dubbed by some of my friends.
Ukrainian crew members

Ukrainian crew members

12 Nov 2010 52
Commandos boarding

Commandos boarding

12 Nov 2010 52
Also published elsewhere, and taken with Anwar's camera (hence the EXIF data) but please note, always © Kieran Turner. All proceeds from use will go to Aid Convoy.
Kidnap victims back on dry land II

Kidnap victims back on dry land II

14 Nov 2010 29
With some of the shreds of the aid we managed to save from the van that was stolen along with us.
Kidnap victims back on dry land I

Kidnap victims back on dry land I

14 Nov 2010 57
With some of the shreds of the aid we managed to save from the van that was stolen along with us. If you're coming across this photo without having seen any from the boat, you may be going through my flickr photostream in the order it's presented, which is, thanks to flickr's desire to be blog-like, in reverse date order. It'll make much more sense to go through chronologically. To do so, please use the set of which this is part: www.flickr.com/photos/captain-k/sets/72157625479176263/
The Grand Tour continues...

The Grand Tour continues...

16 Nov 2010 37
Trapped in Greece after the kidnapping (because of passport issues...) I took some time to look around. The Exarchia area in which we were staying was vibrant and cool, but I had to be a tourist and check out the Parthenon & Acropolis too... along with what appeared to be every other tourist and school class in Greece...
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