Nigerian stowaways terrorized bulk carrier crew, Master issued distress signal

Mikhail VoytenkoNews
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Bulk carrier FRIEDERIKE requested assistance while en route from Lagos Nigeria to Buenos Aires Argentina, reporting mutiny on board. 4 Nigerian stowaways mutinied and were a threat to crew. Bulk carrier was advised to change course and proceed to anchorage southeast of Montevideo. Special forces and negotiator boarded the vessel on Oct 21 on approaches to Montevideo, and neutralized stowaways. FRIEDERIKE was taken to Montevideo to disembark stowaways, then moved to Montevideo anchorage. Investigation under way.
Comment: NGOs, politicians and the likes request merchant marine to be more active in “rescuing” illegal migrants in Mediterranean. The above story is an illustration to accidents which may occur, if merchant ships are to be more active. It’s highly dangerous for crews, cargoes, ships and – if the ship is carrying hazmat goods – for region in the whole.
Bulk carrier FRIEDERIKE, IMO 9436769, dwt 57696, built 2011, flag Marshall Islands, manager TECHNOMAR SHIPPING INC.

Author

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My name is Mikhail Voytenko, I’m Russian, professional merchant marine navigator, by education and former experience. I own and run Maritime Bulletin website for more than 10 years. I've been involved in solving a number of piracy hijack cases, including the hijack of ro-ro FAINA, loaded with tanks. It was me who made public, and unravel, freighter ARCTIC SEA mystery. I've been also closely involved in a number of maritime disaster, one of them being MSC FLAMINIA major fire.