US Navy Aids Crew of Ship Released by Pirates

SOMALIA (Feb. 6, 2009) - The U.S. Navy fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) provides fuel and fresh water to Motor Vessel Faina following its release by Somali pirates Feb. 5, after holding it for more than four months. The U.S. Navy has remained within visual range of the ship and maintained a 24-hour, 7-days a week presence since it was captured. The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali Coast. U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael R. McCormick.)

SOMALIA (Feb. 6, 2009) - Sailors from the Norfolk-based destroyer, USS Mason (DDG 87), climb aboard Motor Vessel Faina to conduct a health and comfort inspection of the crew as well as provide them with food, water and medical support. Somali pirates released the Motor Vessel Faina Feb. 5, after holding it for more than four months. The U.S. Navy has remained within visual range of the ship and maintained a 24-hour, 7-days a week presence since it was captured. The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali Coast. U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael R. McCormick.)

SOMALIA (Feb. 6, 2009) - The U.S. Navy fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) provides fuel and fresh water to Motor Vessel Faina following its release by Somali pirates Feb. 5, after holding it for more than four months. The U.S. Navy has remained within visual range of the ship and maintained a 24-hour, 7-days a week presence since it was captured. The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali Coast. U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael R. McCormick.)

Dispatches from the Front:

MANAMA, Bahrain, Feb. 6, 2009 -- Following Motor Vessel Faina's release by Somali pirates yesterday, the U.S. Navy is providing humanitarian assistance support to the merchant vessel and its crew.

Sailors from the Norfolk-based destroyer, USS Mason (DDG 87), went aboard Faina to conduct a health and comfort inspection of the crew as well as provide Faina's crew with food, water and medical support. The U.S. Navy fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) also provided fuel and fresh water to the merchant vessel.

Faina is currently anchored off the coast of Somalia, near Hobyo, and is making engineering preparations to get underway.

Somali pirates released the Motor Vessel Faina Feb. 5, after holding it for more than four months. The U.S. Navy has remained within visual range of the ship and maintained a 24-hour, 7-days a week presence since it was captured.

Motor Vessel Faina was attacked off the coast of Somalia Sept. 25th. The roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ship is Belize flagged and operated by "Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine." While the ship initially had had a crew of 21, the ship's captain reportedly suffered a heart attack shortly after being taken hostage. The pirates refused all requests to turn over the Captain's remains. The ship's remaining crew includes 17 Ukrainian citizens, as well as two Russians and one Latvian.

(Report from a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs news release.)

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