(14 Nov 2010) SHOTLIST
1. Various exteriors of Nairobi airport
2. Various of convoy carrying released hostages Paul and Rachel Chandler
3. Various of security outside the British ambassador's residence in Nairobi
4. Convoy carrying the Chandlers entering the British ambassador's residence
5. Various exteriors of British ambassador's residence.
STORYLINE:
A British couple kidnapped off their private yacht by Somali pirates more than a year ago were set free on Sunday, ending one of the most drawn-out and dramatic hostage situations since the rash of piracy began off East Africa.
Paul and Rachel Chandler arrived in Kenya's capital of Nairobi by nightfall, landing at the military wing of the main international airport.
The pair were then driven in convoy to the British Ambassador's residence accompanied by heavy security.
Earlier the couple had looked relaxed and smiled through a small ceremony held in the Somali town of Adado after their morning release.
Pirates boarded the Chandler's 38-foot yacht the night of October 23, 2009, while sailing from the island nation of Seychelles.
The couple, married for almost three decades, took early retirement about four years ago and were spending six-month spells at sea.
Despite an international flotilla of warships and aircraft, pirates continue to prowl the Indian Ocean off Somalia seemingly at will, pouncing on pleasure craft, fishing vessels and huge cargo ships.
Efforts to free the couple by the Somali diaspora, the weak Mogadishu-based government and Britain had failed until now.
The couple on Sunday flew from Adado to Mogadishu and after a short stop continued on to Kenya's capital.
The pirates set the couple free at about 4 am local time (0100 GMT), said the leader of the government administration in Adado, Mohamed Aden.
When they arrived in Adado they were taken to a safe house, took a shower and changed clothes.
They then took about a 90-minute nap, Aden said.
When they awoke they had what he called a "British" breakfast of fried eggs.
Both appeared thin, suggesting they did not eat very much while in the control of pirates in a sweltering region near the Ethiopia border.
Despite the Chandlers' release, Somali pirates still hold close to 500 hostages and more than 20 vessels.
The pirates typically only release hostages for multi-million dollar ransoms.
Conflicting reports from Somali officials about the Chandlers' release said either a 300-thousand US dollar ransom for "expenses" was paid or that a 1 (m) million US dollar ransom that was contributed to by the Somali diaspora was paid.

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