Working Conditions Aboard the Kassiakos

On April 11, 2016, at approximately 7:56 PM, the container ship CMA CGM Turquoise encountered a terrifying piracy incident off the coast of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, at coordinates 04°07'N 005°24'E. The vessel, which was en route from Lagos to Douala, was targeted by armed pirates who successfully boarded while it was underway. In a swift response, the ship's master activated the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), prompting all crew members—except for two—to seek refuge in the citadel for safety. During the harrowing 12-hour wait, contact with the outside world was lost, leaving the crew in an uncertain situation. Upon finally emerging from their hiding spot, they discovered that the two crew members who remained outside were missing and had been kidnapped by the assailants. After this shocking event, the CMA CGM Turquoise managed to anchor safely on the outer roads of Douala by April 13 at 3:30 PM. This incident highlights the ongoing maritime security concerns in the region, underscoring the risks faced by vessels traversing these waters.