Pirates Get $1.2 Million Ransom to Release Crew of Spanish Fishing Boat

A Spanish fishing that was being held by pirates off the Somali coast was freed after a $1.2 million ransom was paid. The Spanish government said there was no contact with the pirates, though.

Andrew Mwangura belongs to the Kenya chapter of the Seafarers Assistance Programme and he said that the Spanish fishing boat Playa de Bakio was released after 1.2 million dollars was paid. The boat is expected to dock at port Victoria on Tuesday and the boat was freed on Saturday and is heading towards the Seychelles and being escorted by a Spanish frigate. The boat suffered severe damage due to gun fire and looting during the piracy attack. The boat was captured on April 20, according to Mwangura. The ransom was paid in one million euros and the negotiations were taking place at a London hotel but the Spanish government says that there was no contact with the pirates but did say that it is possible that the pirates did have direct contact with the boat's owners. The boat was fishing for tuna off Somalia and that is when armed pirates attack the boat and seized it. A frigate and a surveillance plane was sent to the French military base in neighbouring Djibouti by the Spanish government to carry out reconnaissance. The waters that surround Somalia has been plagued by insecurity and is considered to be the most dangerous waters in the world. Pirates in Somalia waters have captured more than 25 ships last year despite US navy patrols, according to the International Maritime Bureau. These pirates are ruthless and it seems that the problems are just getting worse. The navy should send undercover boats out to sea and capture these criminals that are getting rich from stealing and kidnapping.