Irishman among six held by Somali pirates

An Irish man is among six tugboat crew members captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed yesterday. He was aboard the Svitzer Korsakov when it was seized early on Friday morning as it made its way to an island off Russia's Pacific coast.

The man, who has not been named, was captured along with the captain and four Russian crew members. It is understood he is a Dublin-born chemical engineer in his 60s.

Patrick Adamson, a spokesman for Svitzer, the Danish firm that owns the ship, said the crew was unharmed. "We have been in contact with the master [ of the ship], and subsequently also with the pirates," said Mr Adamson. "What we have heard is that they are unharmed, they have got food, water and are getting some sleep. Morale is good," he added.

The newly built 34.5m (113ft)vessel was travelling from St Petersburg to Sakhalin Island, between northwest Japan and Russia, when it put out a distress call on Friday. The owners made contact with the ship on Sunday. It is now at anchor in Somali waters. Mr Adamson refused to comment on whether the pirates had made any ransom demands.

A statement from the company added: "Appropriate measures are in place to seek the safe release of the crew, and their families continue to receive support."

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) advises merchant ships to stay at least 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast due to the risks posed by pirates.

Last year IMB director Pottengal Mukundan said pirates in Somalia were operating with impunity. In August Somali pirates freed a Danish cargo ship and its five crew members after a security company paid a $1.5 million ransom.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times