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Pirates Seize 21 Americans on Cargo Ship off Somalia

Sixth ship seizure in a week; first with all-American crew

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:17 AM CDT
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(Newser) – After a sustained 5-hour attack off the coast of northern Somalia overnight, pirates have hijacked a US-flagged cargo ship with 21 crew members aboard, the BBC reports. A Kenya-based diplomat identified the vessel as the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama, reports the AP, and said all the crew members are American. The vessel is the sixth to be seized within a week and the first with an all-American crew.

The emboldened pirates managed to hijack 15 ships last month, and are wreaking havoc on one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

This photo released on Jan.28, 2009 by the French Defense ministry, shows suspected pirates intercepted by Marine commandos of the French Navy in the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia's coast, Jan. 27, 2009.
This photo released on Jan.28, 2009 by the French Defense ministry, shows suspected pirates intercepted by Marine commandos of the French Navy in the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia's coast, Jan. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ecpad/French Defense Ministry)
The 17,000-ton container ship Maersk Alabama has been hijacked by Somalia pirates with 20 crew aboard, Wednesday April 8, 2009, while sailing from Oman to the Kenyan port of Mombassa.
The 17,000-ton container ship Maersk Alabama has been hijacked by Somalia pirates with 20 crew aboard, Wednesday April 8, 2009, while sailing from Oman to the Kenyan port of Mombassa.   (AP Photo/Polfoto, file)
This undated image made available by Maersk Line, shows the Maersk Arun, sister ship to the 17,000-ton container ship Maersk Alabama, which has been hijacked by Somali pirates with 20 crew aboard.
This undated image made available by Maersk Line, shows the Maersk Arun, sister ship to the 17,000-ton container ship Maersk Alabama, which has been hijacked by Somali pirates with 20 crew aboard.   (AP Photo/Maersk Line, file, ho)
The 17,000-ton container ship Maersk Alabama, when it was operating under the name Maersk Alva, has been hijacked by Somalia pirates with 20 crew aboard while sailing from Oman to Mombassa.
The 17,000-ton container ship Maersk Alabama, when it was operating under the name Maersk Alva, has been hijacked by Somalia pirates with 20 crew aboard while sailing from Oman to Mombassa.   (AP Photo/Maersk Line, file, ho)
In this file photo, the US naval ship the USS Leyte Gulf is seen as it docks at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, Thursday, March 5, 2009, with seven suspected Somali pirates arrested by US Marines.
In this file photo, the US naval ship the USS Leyte Gulf is seen as it docks at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, Thursday, March 5, 2009, with seven suspected Somali pirates arrested by US Marines.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
AmericaPrevails
Apr 9, 2009 1:22 AM CDT
Well sure, they are your country men! I think they were armed, it infers that the crew fought for 5 hours.. unless the pirates just zoomed around the ship because they didn't let the nets down for 5 hours. lol.
jaguarj
Apr 8, 2009 3:53 AM CDT
For the life of me..how can these run a bouts overtake a huge freighter? Makes no sense.. why aren't they armed?

Crew 'believed to be safe'
Guardian (UK)

 
Somalia • pirates • cargo ships • hijacking

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