Pirates in Somalia have captured the Russian crew, an Irish chief engineer and the British captain of a ship sailing off the Horn of Africa, a spokesman for the vessel's owner said today.
Six crew were aboard the Svitzer Korsakov, an ice-class tug vessel, when it was seized on Friday as it was making its way to Russia's Pacific Coast.
"We have been in contact with the master (of the ship), and subsequently also with the pirates," said Patrick Adamson, a spokesman for Svitzer, the Danish firm that owns the ship.
"What we have heard is that they are unharmed, they have got food, water and are getting some sleep. Morale is good," he said by telephone from London.
Adamson declined to comment on whether the pirates had made any demands. "Discretion will be of the utmost importance to the safety of the crew," he said.
Piracy has been rife in the waters off Somalia since warlords toppled military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. But attacks have reached unprecedented levels due to instability onshore as the country's interim government battles insurgents.
The US State Department calls it the "preferred venue" for pirate attacks in the region.
The 34.5 metre (113 ft) Svitzer Korsakov was on its maiden voyage when it put out a distress call early on Friday.