Gulf | Oman
Cargo ship limps into Oman port after long ordeal
A German cargo ship that broke down in rough seas after being released by Somali pirates on July 8, was expected to arrive in the southern Omani port of Salalah late on Friday.
- Staff Report
- Published: 23:16 July 18, 2008
Muscat: A German cargo ship that broke down in rough seas after being released by Somali pirates on July 8, was expected to arrive in the southern Omani port of Salalah late on Friday.
MV Lehmann Timber was seized by pirates during a voyage through Gulf of Aden on May 28. The vessel and its 15-member multinational crew were released nearly six weeks later, reportedly after a ransom payment of around $700,000 (about Dh2,572,220).
After securing its freedom, the 120m ship ran into stormy weather in the Arabian Sea, some 300 miles off Oman's southern coast.
The captain's distress call was picked up a naval vessel deployed in the area as part of the Coalition Task Force.
The Russian skipper reported that the vessel was adrift after suffering engine failure, while its weak and exhausted crew were low on water and food.
A US warship went to the stricken cargo ship's rescue, provided emergency supplies of food, water, and medicine.
Repair
MV Lehmann Timber is being towed to Salalah where engine repairs and other provisional maintenance will be carried out before it proceeds to its next destination, local maritime sources said.
Representatives of the ship's owners, Euro Cargo Services, have arrived in Oman to take charge of the crew after their ordeal.
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