Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NAIROBI711
2009-04-08 09:37:00
SECRET
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
SOMALIA - 19 AMCITS ON BOARD PIRATED SHIP
how-toVZCZCXRO2344 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #0711 0980937 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 080937Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9114 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 0212 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RUZEFAA/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T NAIROBI 000711
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND ACTING A/S CARTER
STATE ALSO FOR POL/MIL FO AND S/ES-O
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019
TAGS: PGOV EWWT KDEM EAID PTER SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - 19 AMCITS ON BOARD PIRATED SHIP
Classified By: Somaia Unit Counselor Robert Patterson for reasons 1.4(b
) and (d)
S E C R E T NAIROBI 000711
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND ACTING A/S CARTER
STATE ALSO FOR POL/MIL FO AND S/ES-O
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019
TAGS: PGOV EWWT KDEM EAID PTER SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - 19 AMCITS ON BOARD PIRATED SHIP
Classified By: Somaia Unit Counselor Robert Patterson for reasons 1.4(b
) and (d)
1. (S/NF) At approximately 0713 local time April 8 (0013
EST) suspected Somali pirates hijacked the U.S.-flagged cargo
container ship Maersk Alabama with 19 American citizens on
board, according to the U.S Navy. The attack took place 260
nautical miles (nm) southeast of the Indian Ocean town of
Haradheera. The ship was last reported sailing toward the
Somali coast. Ships pirated by Somalis usually sail to one
of three Somali coastal towns, Haradherra, Hobyo or Eyl,
where the ship and crew are held for ransom, sometimes for
months. Recent ransoms for large ships and crew have been in
the $2-4 million dollar range. Crews are rarely harmed. The
U.S. Navy reports the U.S. warship USS Bainbridge and other
assets are en route to the freighter's location.
2. (S/NF) The Maersk Alabama, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is
owned by Maersk Line, Limited, a U.S. registered company.
Its cargo is as yet unknown, though recent cargos have
included food aid for East Africa, according to the U.S.
Navy. The Department of Defense reportedly does not/not have
cargo on board.
3. (S/NF) The pirates' pursuit of the Maersk Alabama began
on April 7. The Navy reports the Maersk Alabama was first
approached at at 1442L (0745 EST) April 7 by three skiffs
launched from an unseen, likely mother ship 8 nms away. The
freighter took evasive action, including use of its high
pressure fire hoses. After 40 minutes the skiffs broke off
their initial pursuit, though the mother ship probably
recovered its skiffs and continued to shadow the freighter.
At 0713L (0013 EST) April 8, two fast moving skiffs again
threateningly approached the ship. Within 20 minutes the
freighter reported pirates had boarded it.
4. (U) Since April 4 Somali pirates have hijacked at least
six ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, reportedly
taking advantage of recent calm seas and mother ships to
extend their operational reach to as far as 400 nautical
miles off the Horn of Africa. In 2008 Somalis pirated
approximately 60 ships off the Horn, though the pirates'
operational pace has slowed in the first months of 2009,
probably due to unfavorable weather, sea states and increase
international naval patrols. Pirates are currently holding
at least 15 ships off the Somali coast.
Was this report useful? Please send comments and questions
to SomaliaWatchers@state.sgov.gov.
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND ACTING A/S CARTER
STATE ALSO FOR POL/MIL FO AND S/ES-O
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019
TAGS: PGOV EWWT KDEM EAID PTER SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - 19 AMCITS ON BOARD PIRATED SHIP
Classified By: Somaia Unit Counselor Robert Patterson for reasons 1.4(b
) and (d)
1. (S/NF) At approximately 0713 local time April 8 (0013
EST) suspected Somali pirates hijacked the U.S.-flagged cargo
container ship Maersk Alabama with 19 American citizens on
board, according to the U.S Navy. The attack took place 260
nautical miles (nm) southeast of the Indian Ocean town of
Haradheera. The ship was last reported sailing toward the
Somali coast. Ships pirated by Somalis usually sail to one
of three Somali coastal towns, Haradherra, Hobyo or Eyl,
where the ship and crew are held for ransom, sometimes for
months. Recent ransoms for large ships and crew have been in
the $2-4 million dollar range. Crews are rarely harmed. The
U.S. Navy reports the U.S. warship USS Bainbridge and other
assets are en route to the freighter's location.
2. (S/NF) The Maersk Alabama, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is
owned by Maersk Line, Limited, a U.S. registered company.
Its cargo is as yet unknown, though recent cargos have
included food aid for East Africa, according to the U.S.
Navy. The Department of Defense reportedly does not/not have
cargo on board.
3. (S/NF) The pirates' pursuit of the Maersk Alabama began
on April 7. The Navy reports the Maersk Alabama was first
approached at at 1442L (0745 EST) April 7 by three skiffs
launched from an unseen, likely mother ship 8 nms away. The
freighter took evasive action, including use of its high
pressure fire hoses. After 40 minutes the skiffs broke off
their initial pursuit, though the mother ship probably
recovered its skiffs and continued to shadow the freighter.
At 0713L (0013 EST) April 8, two fast moving skiffs again
threateningly approached the ship. Within 20 minutes the
freighter reported pirates had boarded it.
4. (U) Since April 4 Somali pirates have hijacked at least
six ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, reportedly
taking advantage of recent calm seas and mother ships to
extend their operational reach to as far as 400 nautical
miles off the Horn of Africa. In 2008 Somalis pirated
approximately 60 ships off the Horn, though the pirates'
operational pace has slowed in the first months of 2009,
probably due to unfavorable weather, sea states and increase
international naval patrols. Pirates are currently holding
at least 15 ships off the Somali coast.
Was this report useful? Please send comments and questions
to SomaliaWatchers@state.sgov.gov.
RANNEBERGER