HMCS Fredericton aids crew freed by Somali pirates

A Canadian warship has moved to help a vessel and its crew held captive by Somali pirates for more than two months.

The military said HMCS Fredericton responded Monday afternoon after learning a ransom had been paid to pirates on board the MV Kota Wajar, and the ship was being released from their control. The Fredericton was the closest NATO or coalition warship to the vessel.

A naval boarding party conducted a security sweep of the ship to verify that all the pirates had left. A medical specialist then assessed all 21 crew members on board and found them to be in good health.

After determining the ship was fit to sail to a safe port, the boarding team left fresh food and water for the crew before departing.

"It was very fortunate that we were in close proximity to the Kota Wajar and able to act as fast as we could to provide them assistance as they cleared Somali waters," said Cmdr. Steve Waddell, commanding officer of the Fredericton.

"No law abiding sailor should ever have to endure what these men have endured," Waddell said.

The MV Kota Wajar was used by Somali pirates as a mother ship which was involved in the hijacking and kidnapping of Paul and Rachel Chandler on Oct. 23 and used to transport the couple to Somalia, the military said.

HMCS Fredericton is two months into a six-month mission to combat piracy and terrorist operations in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa. It's scheduled to return to Canada in May 2010.