No. 226 fishing boat of China Fuzhou Yongfeng Fishery Deep-sea Co. last Thursday foiled an armed attack by a gang of local pirates aboard in Somalia. Calm and Cool-headed, the Chinese crew launched a counter-hijack struggle against the pirates and finally subdued them. They arrived at Aden Port of the Republic of Yemen successfully on August 27.
A Xinhua news dispatch told that No.226 fishing boat was hijacked by two Somali security guards, one fishery inspector and four local sailors with arms aboard the boat when it was exercising in the special economic region of Somali at about one o'clock of August 23 (Somali time). The armed pirates demanded a ransom of US$ 6 million on the crewmen.
With the exception of the Chinese captain and his chief mate who were forced to navigate the boat by turns, the other 16 Chinese crewmen aboard were locked up in the bottom cabin. With arms in hand, the pirates had the exit closely watched. At one o'clock, August 24, by taking the advantage of strong sea waves and familiar environment aboard, with careful intense preparations made, under the cover of darkness, the Chinese sailors climbed out onto the deck through skylights, springing upon their captors, and vanquished them.
To steer clear of unexpected happenings and possible risks to boat and themselves in person, the Chinese sailors decided to head for Aden Port in Yemen.
Presently Yemen policemen are conducting thorough investigation on the case. After the investigation concludes, No. 226 fishing boat is expected to set sail home.
(People’s Daily 08/28/2001)
