Saturday, January 10, 2009

Somali Pirates: Tanker ransom pirates run into trouble?

The pirates who collected the $3 million ransom for the Saudi oil tanker are reported to have run into trouble with a boating accident... Was it an accident or do fewer pirates to split the take with mean more for those who survive? It appears local beachcombers have gained some benefits... A tale of pirate woe found here:
Five Somali pirates were drown in the sea after having taken fabulous amount of money from a Saudi tanker they have hijacked some two months ago off the coast of Somalia.

“The pirates were coming towards the shore of Haradhere in Mudug region after having taken 3 million dollars from a Saudi oil tanker which they have set free on Friday afternoon they were on board two speed boats singing in colorful tone, and exchanging some ridiculous words unfortunately one of the boats carrying 9 Somali pirates capsized and five of the pirates who were not simmers were drown in the sea the while the other four swum to the shower” said Ali Yussuf a resident of the pirates invested town of Haradhere speaking to Somaliweyn radio shortly after the tragedy occurred.

The resident also added that there are some great swimmers in the ocean with their boats ransacking for the remains of their fellow pirates drown in the Indian Ocean before making us out of they gained through unlawful means (ransom).

On the other hand some reports we are getting from the ground says that pastoralists traveling along the shore have slowly collected dollars floating on the surface of the sea, and some brought by the ebb tide to shore.
More reports here and from here, this:
Informed sources in the town of Hobyo said a fast-speed boat carrying nine pirates had capsized in the high seas after powerful winds hit overnight Friday.

Four of the pirates have been found alive, but the remaining five gunmen are missing and believed to have died at sea.

The capsized boat was transporting some of the ransom payment, which was delivered via a parachute yesterday, the sources added.
In an unrelated report, the Iranian ship Delight is reported to have been released by pirates:
The Delight, which was hijacked on its way to Iran from Germany carrying 36,000 tonnes of wheat, was freed with its 25 crew late Friday after 53 days in captivity, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) said.

It did not say whether any ransom had been paid. Iran last month said it had dispatched a warship to the Gulf of Aden to protect Iranian vessels against pirates.
UPDATE: Photos of airdrop of ransom:

Captions:
(upper) 090109-N-5512H-071 SOMALIA (Jan. 9, 2009) A small aircraft is observed by the U.S. Navy as it flies over the MV Sirius Star during an apparent payment via a parachuted container to pirates holding the Sirius Star. The U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Air Crewman 2nd Class David B. Hudson/Released)


(lower) 090109-N-5512H-081 SOMALIA (Jan. 9, 2009) A parachute dropped by a small aircraft is observed by the U.S. Navy as it drops over the MV Sirius Star during an apparent payment via a parachuted container to pirates holding the Sirius Star. The U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Air Crewman 2nd Class David B. Hudson/Released)

Doesn't look all that rough at the time of the drop...

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