( CNN ) -- Pirates boarded an American yacht off the coast of Oman three days after the boat 's owners split off from the relative safety of a sailing group traversing a dangerous section of the Indian Ocean , according to the group , the Blue Water Rally . The yacht , the S/V Quest , was overtaken by pirates on Friday , according to U.S. officials . Owners Jean and Scott Adam and two other people on board , Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle , had been traveling with yachts participating in the Blue Water Rally since their departure from Phuket , Thailand , the rally group said Sunday in a statement on its website . But they broke off on February 15 after leaving Mumbai , India , to take a different route , the group said . `` We feel desperately sorry for our four friends onboard and our thoughts are with them and their friends and family , '' the London-based group said in a posting on its website . `` All the yachts still on the rally are fine and well . '' U.S. officials have not identified the people on board the ship , but have confirmed that four U.S. citizens are involved . U.S. officials have made no further comment on the situation since Rear Adm. Charles Gaouette , deputy commander of the U.S. Navy 's Fifth Fleet , said Saturday that the government is evaluating its options . Another U.S. official , who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the situation , said previously that the United States is determining what military assets are in the region and the capabilities of the personnel onboard . The official said that the pirates are believed to be onboard the yacht with the Americans , and the next step would be to determine whether the military could keep the yacht from reaching the shore -- either by blocking or harassing it . The Adams are experienced boaters , having started a world tour in 2004 , and were very much conscious of the threat from pirates , said a friend of the Adams , fellow boater Scott Stolnitz.. Scott Adam said several weeks ago that he was concerned about pirate activity in the area , which he had never visited before , Stolnitz said . But he said Adam was determined to traverse the world himself as opposed to shipping the boat -- as some other yacht owners have done . Stolnitz also said the Adams had also been traveling with others on a `` buddy boat , '' but those people decided not to continue . On their website , the Adams say their mission `` is to allow the power of the Word to transform lives ... ( and ) seek fertile ground for the word and homes for our Bibles . '' But Stolnitz said vigorous evangelism was n't a major emphasis for the couple . `` They use the Bible as an ice breaker , '' he said . The couple posted to their website earlier this year about their travel plans , including a refueling stop in Djibouti , another pirate flash-point . `` Djibouti is a big refueling stop , '' said the post , which is not dated . `` I have no idea what will happen in these ports , but perhaps we 'll do some local touring . '' They also sent out an e-mail several days ago expressing some unease , Stolnitz said . Piracy has flourished off the coast of Somalia , which has not had an effective government for two decades . In April 2009 , pirates seized the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama , leading to a standoff in the Indian Ocean . U.S. forces moved to rescue American Capt . Richard Phillips after seeing a pirate aiming a weapon on his back , officials said at the time . Three pirates were killed and one was arrested . The Somali man arrested was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison . CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr and CNN 's David McKenzie contributed to this report .
The owners of a yacht taken by pirates on February 18 had been traveling with other boats . Hide Caption Two other Americans were traveling with them , the sailing group says .