Navy Provides Humanitarian Assistance to Faina Crew

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.  

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

02.05.2009

Courtesy Story

Defense.gov         

The U.S. Navy is providing humanitarian assistance to the Ukranian ship Faina and its crew following the ship's release yesterday by Somali pirates.

Sailors from the Norfolk-based destroyer USS Mason went aboard Faina to conduct a health and comfort inspection of the crew as well as to 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 anchored off the coast of Somalia, near Hobyo, and is making engineering preparations to get under way.

Somali pirates released Faina yesterday 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, seven-day–a-week presence since it was captured.

Pirates attacked Faina off the coast of Somalia on Sept. 25. While the ship initially had a crew of 21, the ship's captain reportedly suffered a heart attack shortly after being taken hostage. The pirates refused requests to turn over the captain's remains. The ship's remaining crew includes 17 Ukrainian citizens, two Russians and one Latvian.

(From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, 5th Fleet public affairs news release.)

Story by American Forces Press Service

• Date Taken: 02.05.2009
• Date Posted: 07.03.2025 18:45
• Story ID: 519892
• Location: WASHINGTON, US