PIRATED GERMAN CARGO SHIP SEEKS REFUGE IN SALALAH

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000557 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHSA KCRM EWWT MU SUBJECT: PIRATED GERMAN CARGO SHIP SEEKS REFUGE IN SALALAH ¶1. (U) Local press reported that a 120-meter German cargo ship, MV Lehmann Timber, arrived in the southern port city of Salalah on July 21 after being captured and released by armed Somali pirates. According to media articles, the vessel, taken by force on May 28 during a voyage in the Gulf of Aden bound for the German port of Rostock, was held ransom for 41 days until freed by the pirates on July 8 after the payment of $750,000. Following its release, however, the ship experienced severe engine problems in stormy seas near Socotra Island and ran out of food and water. ¶2. (SBU) Responding to a distress call, the USS Momsen - a U.S. Navy destroyer on patrol in the vicinity - approached the Lehmann Timber to offer assistance. Due to waves of nine to 12 feet in height, the Momsen was able to use only a helicopter to air-drop food and water to the crew. The Momsen remained with the Lehmann Timber, which was operating solely on auxiliary power, until a tug boat arrived to tow it to Salalah. (Note: The local shipping agents in Oman for the German vessel, Gulf Agency Company, made arrangements for the distressed ship to be transported to safety. End Note.) ¶3. (U) After a roughly 280 kilometer voyage lasting five days, the beleaguered Lehmann Timber finally reached the Omani port at approximately 2:00 am in the morning. The ship was initially brought alongside an oil terminal berth as its damaged gangplank could not be deployed. A tugboat retrieved the crew and brought them to the five-star Hilton Hotel before they were later taken to a private hospital for a check-up. Per media reports, on board was a Russian captain, Estonian chief officer, and a crew of four Ukrainians and nine Burmese, all of whom were described as being in relatively good health. ¶4. (U) The ship itself, reportedly owned by Euro Cargo Services, was eventually shifted to a bunkering terminal within the port of Salalah where it underwent an inspection and received supplies of fuel, food and water. Inspectors found significant damage, apparently inflicted by the pirates -- the engine was disabled, the electronic systems looted, and the cabins ransacked. After repairs are complete, a new 15-member crew plans to pilot the ship to Rostock. The original crew members are returning to their homes via commercial air. GRAPPO