From Piracy to Pig Farming
“We ate mice and rats to survive,” said Adi. “I thought that I would die. There was no hope.”
In October 2016, the survivors of the Taiwan-owned fishing vessel, Naham 3, were finally released after being held for almost five years by Somali pirates. Sailors’ Society’s CRN team was on hand to help.
Some 28 of the crew had been taken hostage. The pirates killed the Captain.
Two years into their ordeal, the Naham 3 sank and the hostages were moved ashore, where their lives grew far more wretched. In the barren Somali bush they were underfed, sun-scorched, and thirsty. By the spring of 2014, two had died of illness. The owners of the vessel had tried to pursue ransom negotiations, reportedly failed to reach a deal, and gave up.
When the 26 surviving crew members were finally freed, thanks to third-party intervention, they were frail, exhausted, and eager to be reunited with their families. Among them was Adi Manurung from Indonesia.
“We ate mice and rats to survive,” said Adi. “I thought that I would die. There was no hope.”
Hostages proof of life.
Image credit Oceans Beyond Piracy
Adi recalled the moments after the pirates boarded the ship. He said there was total confusion after they had shot his Captain, who had fled to the engine room and tried to fight off his attackers with a chair.
“The pirates were shouting “Where’s the Captain?” and shooting the floor. They did not know that he was already dead in the engine room. I felt desperate and terrified”.
Following Adi’s release, Sailors’ Society’s CRN team offered him counselling and helped him to reintegrate into life back at home. They accompanied him on medical visits and gave him financial assistance.
With his family not wanting him to go back to sea following their ordeal, the CRN team was able to recommend he receive a grant from Sailors’ Society and he now makes an alternative living as a pig farmer.
“Thank you Sailors’ Society for everything!” Adi said.
Other CRN case studies
Piracy
In October 2016, the survivors of the Taiwan-owned fishing vessel, Naham 3, were finally released after being held for almost five years by Somali pirates. Traumatised and malnourished, Sailors’ Society CRN team were on hand to help.
Shipwreck
In February 2022, the crew Tresta Star was bunkering (taking on diesel fuel) in mid Indian Ocean when Cyclone Batsirai hit.
False imprisonment
The CRN team were contacted in August 2022. A crew of 16 Indians, eight Sri Lankans, one Polish and one Filipino national, had been detained by Nigerian authorities, accused of attempted oil theft and faking a piracy attack. All part of a wider political dispute.
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