VZCZCXRO2287
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMS #0557 2170505
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040505Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9829
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0028
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 0014
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0055
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1238
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 0017
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0004
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0035
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0006
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 0001
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000557 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHSA KCRM EWWT MU
SUBJECT: PIRATED GERMAN CARGO SHIP SEEKS REFUGE IN SALALAH 
 
¶1.  (U) Local press reported that a 120-meter German cargo 
ship, MV Lehmann Timber, arrived in the southern port city of 
Salalah on July 21 after being captured and released by armed 
Somali pirates.  According to media articles, the vessel, 
taken by force on May 28 during a voyage in the Gulf of Aden 
bound for the German port of Rostock, was held ransom for 41 
days until freed by the pirates on July 8 after the payment 
of $750,000.  Following its release, however, the ship 
experienced severe engine problems in stormy seas near 
Socotra Island and ran out of food and water. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Responding to a distress call, the USS Momsen - a 
U.S. Navy destroyer on patrol in the vicinity - approached 
the Lehmann Timber to offer assistance.  Due to waves of nine 
to 12 feet in height, the Momsen was able to use only a 
helicopter to air-drop food and water to the crew.  The 
Momsen remained with the Lehmann Timber, which was operating 
solely on auxiliary power, until a tug boat arrived to tow it 
to Salalah.  (Note:  The local shipping agents in Oman for 
the German vessel, Gulf Agency Company, made arrangements for 
the distressed ship to be transported to safety.  End Note.) 
 
 
¶3.  (U) After a roughly 280 kilometer voyage lasting five 
days, the beleaguered Lehmann Timber finally reached the 
Omani port at approximately 2:00 am in the morning.  The ship 
was initially brought alongside an oil terminal berth as its 
damaged gangplank could not be deployed.  A tugboat retrieved 
the crew and brought them to the five-star Hilton Hotel 
before they were later taken to a private hospital for a 
check-up.  Per media reports, on board was a Russian captain, 
Estonian chief officer, and a crew of four Ukrainians and 
nine Burmese, all of whom were described as being in 
relatively good health. 
 
¶4.  (U) The ship itself, reportedly owned by Euro Cargo 
Services, was eventually shifted to a bunkering terminal 
within the port of Salalah where it underwent an inspection 
and received supplies of fuel, food and water.  Inspectors 
found significant damage, apparently inflicted by the pirates 
-- the engine was disabled, the electronic systems looted, 
and the cabins ransacked.  After repairs are complete, a new 
15-member crew plans to pilot the ship to Rostock.  The 
original crew members are returning to their homes via 
commercial air. 
GRAPPO