Fidan Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

In a harrowing incident on May 17, 2024, at 04:10 UTC, the tanker 'Fidan' was violently boarded by a group of ten armed pirates while navigating through the Atlantic Ocean. The location of the attack was approximately 363 nautical miles south-southwest of Nova Sintra, Cabo Verde, at coordinates 09:11.2 N 027:03.9 W. The pirates, who were armed with AK-47s, seized control of the ship's bridge, putting the crew in immediate danger. All crew members were corralled onto the bridge, where the assailants tied their hands and feet. Under duress, they ordered the 2nd and 4th engineers to halt the vessel’s engines, allowing the 'Fidan' to drift aimlessly as the pirates planned to steal its cargo and bunkers. While awaiting the arrival of an offload vessel, the pirates ransacked the ship, stealing personal belongings of the crew alongside equipment from the ship itself. In a cruel twist, the pirates confined all crew members to the steering gear room and ominously claimed that they had planted explosive devices on every exit, only allowing them to leave after a two-hour wait. When the crew finally emerged from the steering gear room, they were relieved to discover that the pirates had fled, leaving no explosives behind. However, the attackers did cause significant damage to critical systems on the ship, including communication, internet, and navigation equipment, as well as the air control pipes for the main engine and cylinder oil flow valves. Miraculously, the resilient crew managed to regain control of the tanker and successfully navigated it to the nearest port without any loss of cargo or bunkers. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by vessels operating in high-risk waters and the bravery of those who serve at sea.