Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MUSCAT557
2008-08-04 05:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
PIRATED GERMAN CARGO SHIP SEEKS REFUGE IN SALALAH
how-toVZCZCXRO2287 RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHMS #0557 2170505 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 040505Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9829 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0028 RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 0014 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0055 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1238 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 0017 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0004 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0035 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0006 RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 0001 RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000557
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHSA KCRM EWWT MU
SUBJECT: 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
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