Another U.S. ship attacked by pirates
File photo of the Liberty Sun (Courtesy Bruno Leonardo Pricoli, Shipspotting)
This time it was the U.S. flagged Liberty Sun, a geared bulk cargo ship operated by Liberty Maritime and crewed by U.S. mariners. Details are sketchy at this point but Information Dissemination is reporting the attack apparently failed, and all aboard are safe. CNN is also carrying the story. The ship was carrying humanitarian aid cargo on board and came under fire by the attacking pirates.
Statement from Liberty Maritime (courtesy Information Dissemination)
We are grateful and pleased that no one was injured and the crew and the ship are safe. We have communicated with the families of the crew to inform them of these developments. We commend the entire crew for its professionalism and poise under fire.
The LIBERTY SUN was on a voyage enroute to Mombasa, Kenya from Houston, Texas carrying American food aid cargo for African nations suffering from famine. Earlier last week, the vessel had discharged thousands of tons of American food aid cargo in Port Sudan and it was continuing its voyage with additional food aid when it came under attack from the Somali pirates.
Liberty Maritime’s first priority has been, and will continue to be, ensuring that the crews aboard our ships are safe. We want to especially thank the United States Navy for its prompt response to our request for assistance. We also wish to thank the U.S. Government for its cooperation in responding to this attack.
CNN is posting a dramatic string of e-mail communications that one of the crew members had sent their mother during the attack.
Katy Urbik of Wheaton, Illinois, said her son, Thomas, was aboard the Liberty Sun at the time of the attack. She shared the e-mails he sent as the ship came under fire.
“We are under attack by pirates, we are being hit by rockets. Also bullets,” said one e-mail sent Tuesday afternoon. “We are barricaded in the engine room and so far no one is hurt. [A] rocket penetrated the bulkhead but the hole is small. Small fire, too, but put out.
"Navy is on the way and helos and ships are coming. I’ll try to send you another message soon. [G]ot to go now. I love you mom and dad and all my brothers and family."
This attack occurs just a day after Somali pirates stepped up and attacked three ships, including one at night and two days after the U.S. Navy shot and killed three suspected Somali pirates. Reports have indicated that the greater Somali pirate community was going to vow revenge on the next U.S. ship that was captured. With this recent threat, it is clear that the folks aboard the Liberty Sun are extremely lucky tonight.
Question?
Should U.S. flagged companies engaged in food aid and humanitarian programs in this region re-route or cancel scheduled voyages until the piracy issue is resolved? Should all U.S. merchant ships avoid this area all together? Post your thoughts with a comment below.
