Uruguay Detains Stowaways Who Threatened Bulker Crew

Uruguayan Navy has detained four stowaways that threatened the crew aboard the bulk carrier Friederike.

The four men reportedly boarded the 57,400 dwt bulker while it was in the Nigerian port of Lagos.

In the morning hours of October 21 the authorities received a distress call from the ship’s captain saying that the stowaways mutinied and threatened the crew members during the voyage.

According to AIS data provided by Marine Traffic, the ship was on its way to the port of Recalada in Argentina when the distress call was sent out.

The navy first directed the bulker to an anchorage some 40 km off the coast of Montenegro, Uruguay, to neutralise the situation and return control of the vessel to its captain. The officials later escorted the bulker to the port of Montenegro where the stowaways were detained.

The Supramax bulker, owned by Greek company Technomar Shipping, was held at the country’s anchorage until October 24, when it continued its journey.

World Maritime News Staff