Washington – Here are the frantic moments after Somali pirates tried to take over an American cargo ship last month by firing rocket-propelled grenades at the crew.
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The ship, owned by the Long Island-based Liberty Maritime Corp., was transporting humanitarian aid when it was spotted by Somali pirates on April 14 off the east coast of Africa.
“Keep it in maneuvering,” one of the crew members is heard shouting into a phone.
“They’re firing into the steering wheel room,” he adds.
After the boat, named Liberty Sun, was fired upon, the crew feverishly tried to out maneuver the pirates — eventually losing them.
The video, made public today, will be part of a Congressional subcommittee hearing on piracy and safety on the high seas.
Liberty Sun had delivered 17,000 tons of food aid to the Sudan and was on the way to Mombasa, Kenya, with more food when it was attacked.
A US Navy ship arrived about six hours later and determined that the pirates were gone and no longer posed a threat.
The attack took place just days after Capt. Richard Phillips, skipper of the Maersk Alabama, was taken hostage by other Somali pirates and held captive for five days.
He was later freed by the US Navy.
pirates hold up ships……..congress holds up taxpayers
Pretty funny actually, they are laughing at the thing. They dont sound scared or nervous at all. HA HA
I don’t understand why it’s so difficult to shoot at them and to just eliminate them. The ships’ crew are at an advantage because they are much higher than these pirates in their speedboats. There is no doubt in my mind that Israeli ships are not attacked because the pirates know what to expect – very quickly. Why is the rest of the world just crying and complaining when it is so easy to just do the right thing. הבא להרגך השכם והרגו
Due to various international laws and agreements, most countries will not allow a ship to dock at it’s ports with arms on board.
Although I can’t confirm this at this time, I understand there exists an Israeli security company that will provide security on ones ship, for a fee, but they will disembark prior to the ship docking.
I was expecting to see something like out of pirates of the caribbean…like jack sparrow maybe? nothing close… 🙂