General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

Let me say first of all I have no Military or Seamanship experience whatsoever. All my my information is gleand from the media. As I understand it H.M.S. Cornwall could not come to the aid of the captives because the sea was too shallow at that point hence the boats being so far from the mother ship. Once they had been taken ashore we did not know where they were being held or if they were altogether. Without this intelligence rescue by special forces could not be contemplated. That is not to say that the gathering of this Intel was not actively underway. At the end of the day diplomacy worked without the need to put either the hostages or their rescuers in harms way. This may disappoint some of the gung Ho types amongst you, but I reckon it's a great result.