Golden Nori Released
The Panamanian-flagged, Japanese chemical tanker, the Golden Nori, and her crew were released on Wednesday, December 12, after being held hostage by Somali pirates for nearly a month and half. The release came just a few days after the pirates supposedly threatened to kill the 23 crew members if a $1 million ransom was not met. When MarEx went online, there was no official word on whether or not the ransom was paid and/or what else may have prompted the release.
On October 28, the Golden Nori, which was carrying benzene from Singapore to Israel, was attacked while sailing through the Gulf of Aden, eight nautical miles off the Somali coast. The crew sent out a distress call which the U.S. responded to, sinking the pirates' two skiffs tied to the boat (see Navy photo here). Since then, however, the U.S. Navy and other members of the Combined Maritimes Forces Coalition continuously tracked it and took "appropriate steps to prevent the pirates from resupplying the vessel" while the pirates remained in control, according to a U.S. Navy December 12 press release.
The Combined Maritime Forces Coalition patrol the waters off the Somali Coast and other pirate-prone areas. Twenty countries belong to the Coalition, the main goal of which is to conduct maritime security operations (MSO). In the same press release, Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, Commander, Combined Task Force 58, states, "The Coalition's anti-piracy efforts off the Somali coast greatly contributed to resolving these matters. Our presence in this region reinforces our commitment to security and safety in the maritime arena."
The USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) is currently standing by in the Gulf of Aden to provide assistance to the Golden Nori and her crew, which is "currently underway." This U.S. Navy vessel has also been involved with aiding many other recently released pirated vessels. According to the Navy press release, "She provided food, water and fuel to motor vessels Mavuno I and Manuvo II, both of which were released by pirates Nov. 4, and merchant vessel Al Marjan, released Dec. 2. USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) escorted the South Korean-flagged vessels to the port of Aden, Yemen. Whidbey Island also assisted merchant vessel Ching Fong Hwa following its release by pirates Nov. 5."
Piracy has been increasing in Somalia since the military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overturned in 1991 by warlords. Though attacks decreased during the second half of 2006 when Islamists controlled most of southern Somalia, they have been increasing since the Islamists were expelled in January of this year. However, the release of the Golden Nori marks the first time in over a year that Somali pirates are not holding any vessels. Moreover, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) passed a new resolution on the subject, entitled Piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia, which it believes will help the situation.
For the latest piracy information, visit the IMB's Webs site here.
**Photo: 071212-N-5200F-001 GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 12, 2007) A boarding team from dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) approaches merchant vessel Golden Nori after pirates released the Japanese chemical tanker Dec. 12. The pirates seized the ship off the coast of Somalia in late October. The release of Golden Nori marks the first time in more than a year that no ships are held by Somali pirates. Whidbey Island is currently deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO). Coalition forces conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Deanna Fisher (Released)