THE pirate hostage drama has got “10 times more complicated” said a Bournemouth-based security expert.

Paul and Rachel Chandler from Kentwere sailing from the Seychelles to Tanzania when Somali pirates seized their yacht.

The couple have now been transferred to a hijacked Singaporean cargo ship anchored one mile off the Somali coast.

The responsibilities of the Royal Marines in the Hamworthy-based SBS include the rescue of ships that are hijacked.

But Bournemouth airport-based specialist Nick Davis, a former serviceman with contacts in the region, said a raid on the cargo ship would be too dangerous.

“The situation has now got 10 times more complicated. It’s unknown territory,” he said.

“The ransom will probably go up from £1.5-£2m to £5m and the demand will include the ship, the crew and the couple.” Mr Davis of the Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre, added: “There’s no chance of a rescue now.

“It would end up with lots of people dead.”

He said the only solution appeared to be paying the ransom demand, probably through Singaporean channels.

One of the pirate leaders has been reported as saying: “We warn [the British] any attack on us... they will burn their two people’s bones.”

The pirates allowed Mr Chandler, 59, to have a short phone conversation with ITV News yesterday.

He described how armed Somali pirates boarded their ship last Friday.

The Ministry of Defence said the couple’s £60,000 boat, Lynn Rival, has now been found.

US navy Seals successfully rescued a freighter captain in April but a French commando raid the same month led to the death of one hostage The 21 crewmen of the Singaporean Kota Wajar cargo ship have been held hostage since October 15.