MV Farah III

MV Farah III was a general cargo ship built in 1981. She was registered in Jordan and owned by Salam International Transport & Trading Co.[1]

Farah-3 3 May 2013
History
Jordan
Name:
  • Farah III (2004-2006)
  • Kawkab (1997-2004)
  • Zerva (1995-1997)
  • Zervos (1990-1995)
  • Renoir (1988-1990)
  • Anny Pateras (1987-1988)
  • Arao (1981-1987)
Owner: Salam International Transport & Trading Co
Port of registry: Jordan
Builder: Navantia Carenas Ferrol, Ferrol, Spain
Completed: 1981
Identification:
Captured: December 2006
Fate: Ran aground 09°18′52″N 80°47′29″E
General characteristics
Type: General cargo ship
Tonnage: 9,123 tons
Displacement: 14,827 tons
Length: 149.33 m (489 ft 11 in)
Depth: 12.40 m (40 ft 8 in)

Fate

In December 2006, Farah III was en route from India to South Africa with a cargo of rice when she suffered engine trouble off the east coast of Sri Lanka. The crew sent out a distress signal and dropped anchor near the town of Mullaitivu, an area held by the militant rebel faction Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).[2] On December 23,[3] the ship was boarded by members of LTTE's naval wing, the Sea Tigers. According to the crew, the rebels ordered them to raise the anchor, after trying and failing to blow up the anchor cable, then forced them into smaller boats.[4] The Tigers later denied this account, insisting that were only helping the crew, who were delivered safely to the Red Cross.[2] However, the drifting ship subsequently ran aground, and its owner, Salam International, reported some months later that the Farah III had been stripped bare by the LTTE; not only had 14,000 metric tons of rice been taken,[5] but also equipment such as lights and generators. Salam International also reported that they had been unable to secure safe passage for the insurance company and surveyors to visit the ship.[2]

Capture by the Sri Lanka Army

On May 14, 2009, just days before government forces declared victory over the rebels and an end to the Sri Lankan Civil War, troops of the 58 Division captured the grounded ship, which was being used by the Sea Tigers as their operational centre.[5]

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References
  1. "Jordan Maritime Authority Ship Registration" (PDF). Jordan Maritime Authority. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  2. "Cargo boat 'looted off Sri Lanka'". BBC News. May 1, 2007.
  3. "LTTE 'looted' Jordanian ship". BBC Sinhala. February 1, 2007.
  4. "Jordanian crew slam Tigers for piracy". The Hindu. December 26, 2006. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008.
  5. "Troops in final push". Daily News. Sri Lanka. May 15, 2009. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012.
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