LONDON (AP) — Britain's military says a crew of a Royal Navy vessel watched as a British couple was abducted by Somali pirates, but was unable to rescue them.

The Ministry of Defense says the Royal Fleet Auxiliary replenishment tanker Wave Knight was nearby when Paul and Rachel Chandler were kidnapped on October 23. The lightly armed vessel was carrying a crew of 75 merchant seamen and 25 navy sailors.

The ministry said Friday the tanker could not intervene without endangering the Chandlers' lives as armed pirates boarded the couple's yacht in the Indian Ocean.Pirates have demanded a $7 million ransom for the couple. The British Government says it will not pay a ransom.