629
Views

Pirates Abandon Sugar Ship Near Somalia

Published Jan 25, 2011 12:43 PM by The Maritime Executive

EU NAVFOR reported that pirates had abandoned a cargo ship of sugar in the Gulf of Aden, leaving two crewmembers injured. The 18,838 ton SYRIA STAR was carrying a crew of 22 Syrians and two Egyptians when it was boarded off the coast of Somalia.

Pirates held the boat for two days before escaping on the ship's life boats.

The ship's captain radioed for help after the pirates had left and FGS Schleswig-Holstein (pictured), of the German navy, was in the vicinity and sent a helicopter with a medical team on-board to assist the vessel.

The injuries were reportedly non-life-threatening.

Pirates are holding at least 16 ships and hundreds of crew members, including a British couple seized from their yacht last October.

Photo Courtesy of EU NAVFOR