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Classes Teach Ocean Travel Safety

DETROIT (WWJ) - If you're planning to sail into dangerous waters, there are classes available locally to protect yourself.  This in the wake of four Americans being killed recently by Somali pirates.

Dale Brown, of the Threat Management Center in Detroit, says they try to teach sailors how to avoid being captured, but says if people are caught, they teach them how to use psychology on their captors.
"In that situation, you look at what your enemy, in this case, wants. In every case, you want to see where there, what their perspective is and you want to join them. You want them to believe you're on their side . You can't be their adversary," says Brown.

"The key to keeping your vessel safe would be awareness of your environment maintained and constantly having that vigilance maintained while sleeping , during the sleeping hours  so that  they don't have time to board you or the ability to board you."

Brown says they also teach people how to disarm someone in close quarters.

The two couples killed were sailing around the world when they were captured by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
One of the victims, 59-year-old Phyllis Mackay was a native of Southfield.

For more information on classes, click on here.

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