U.S. Navy Provides Humanitarian Assistance to Faina

Courtesy Photo | The U.S. Navy fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba provides fuel and fresh water to Motor Vessel Faina following its release by Somali pirates, Feb. 5, after holding it for more than four months. The U.S. Navy has remained within visual range of the ship and maintained a 24-hour, 7-days a week presence since it was captured. The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 25, 2008, and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali Coast. U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity.  

02.06.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs Office

MANAMA, Bahrain - Following Motor Vessel Faina's release by Somali pirates yesterday, the U.S. Navy is providing humanitarian assistance support to the merchant vessel and its crew.

Sailors from the Norfolk-based destroyer, USS Mason, went aboard Faina to conduct a health and comfort inspection of the crew as well as provide Faina's crew with food, water and medical support. The U.S. Navy fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba also provided fuel and fresh water to the merchant vessel.

Faina is currently anchored off the coast of Somalia, near Hobyo, and is making engineering preparations to get underway.

Somali pirates released the Motor Vessel Faina, Feb. 5, after holding it for more than four months. The U.S. Navy has remained within visual range of the ship and maintained a 24-hour, 7-days a week presence since it was captured.

Motor Vessel Faina was attacked off the coast of Somalia Sept. 25th.

The roll-on/roll-off ship is Belize flagged and operated by "Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine." While the ship initially had had a crew of 21, the ship's captain reportedly suffered a heart attack shortly after being taken hostage. The pirates refused all requests to turn over the Captain's remains. The ship's remaining crew includes 17 Ukrainian citizens, as well as two Russians and one Latvian.

• Date Taken: 02.06.2009
• Date Posted: 02.06.2009 08:42
• Story ID: 29721