This is an update on the hijacked Saudi oil supertanker Sirius Star.
You may view this information in Google Earth.

The vessel was hijacked by Somali Pirates on 15 November 2008 while on a course in international waters of the Indian Ocean. It is reported to be carrying two million barrels of oil and a crew of 25. Including, 19 crew members from Philippines, 2 from Britain, 2 from Poland, 1 Croatian and 1 Saudi.

Image: Sirius Star, Saudi VLCC supertanker.

Please download the file and view it in Google Earth. After download, click or double-click on any of the items to view more detailed information about each item. You can see this in Google Maps, but you will lose some good zoom details.

The vessel Sirius Star is a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier), approximately 330 metres in length.

Image: Typical VLCC in motion, in the Suez Canal.

This file for Google Earth includes the following points of interest:

Course of the vessel Sirius Star -- from normal course on 12 November 2008; through the pirate attack on 15 November when the vessel was seized; the course from the hijack point to the Somali Pirate Coast; then being held for ransom at anchorage 20 November; and other possible movements through 25 November.

Sirius Star 12 NOV 2008 - Leaving the Arabian Sea / Gulf of Aden area. VLCC vessel heads southward along its projected course from a Saudi port into the open waters of the Indian Ocean, and toward the southern tip of Africa and into the Atlantic. The vessel would soon be hijacked 3 days later, 1200 nautical miles south of here.

Sirius Star VLCC, 15 NOV 2008 - Supertanker attacked and hijacked here by armed pirates in skiffs operating from a nearby pirate mothership which had been tracking the VLCC vessel as it moved southward along its projected course from a Saudi port toward the southern tip of Africa and into the Atlantic. Taken to Gaan anchorage near Harardhere and held for ransom.


Image: Satellite imagery of Sirius Star anchored near Gaan on the Somali coast, being held for ransom.

Sirius Star VLCC. Saudi supertanker. Hijacked vessel, held for ransom at this anchororage point 7km offshore, 20 November 2008. Reported in Guardian UK article with IKONOS satellite imaging, see overlay.

LISTEN to Captain of the Sirius Star, Marek Nishky , speaking via satphone while at ransom anchorage.

IKONOS Sat Imaging Overlay dated 20 NOV 2008.
Cropped. centre= lat 4.59716 lon 48.065264

Sirius Star VLCC. 25NOV2008. Saudi supertanker. Estimated location, unconfirmed. Hijacked vessel reported at anchor for ransom, November 2008.

Distance from shore: measurement 6776m (4.2 miles or 3.65NM)


Image: Harardhere pirate base.

Harardhere (Harardera) Somali Galmudug region, Harardhere district. Non-aligned region of ex-Somalia failed state. Pirate town, Suleiman clan. Local militia checkpoint. Major point of re-supply and personnel resources for pirate ransom anchorage operations. Supply and trading point for the pirate town of Hobyo (Obbia). Pirates are well-connected in this town, and piracy is by far the dominant economic interest. Although Harardhere is not a port, it is located approximately 20km (12mi) from the ocean, within two-way radio range of hijacked ships anchored off the coast. A web of dirt track roads joins it with several coastal beach launching points for small pirate skiff boats. Harardhere is considered a Suleiman clan stronghold and former base for one of the most infamous pirates, Mohamed Abdi Hassan �Afweyne� (Big Mouth). Another leader of the Harardheere-based pirate groups is the warlord Garaad Mohamud Mohamed.

Location reports
An individual in Harardhere, interviewed by media via phone said that the pirates had "moved the ship 100km off shore". The movement of the vessel from its prior point closer to the shore, is in response to the threat of Islamist hostile action at Harardhere. The 100km report may be exagerated.

LISTEN to the boss pirate Daybad, aboard Sirius Star, being interviewed via satphone.

Speaking to VOA by satellite telephone aboard the hijacked supertanker, the pirate leader, who refuses to be identified, insisted the vessel is still anchored off the coast of El Gaan near the central Somali town of Haradhere.

VOA reports on satphone interview with the pirate leader aboard Sirius Star: "The pirate said his group has not taken the tanker from the area and they are not concerned about being attacked by the al-Shabab or by any other Islamist group. He declined to confirm reports that his group may reduce the $25 million dollar ransom demand for the release of the tanker and its 25-member crew. A resident in Haradhere, who wished to remain anonymous because of security concerns, told VOA the pirates took the ship and headed out to sea two days ago. That ship is very far from town now, the resident said. He added the pirates fled because they feared Islamist militias were preparing to mount an assault to free the ship."

Gaan (El Ghan or Ceel Gaan or Ceel Gan) Somali coast of Indian Ocean, Galmudug region, Harardhere district. Non-aligned region of ex-Somalia failed state. Abandoned settlement, now a beach launch point for small fishing boats and pirate re-supply skiffs. One of the points where Harardhere-based (Suleiman clan) pirates anchor ransom vessels offshore. Famous hijacked Spanish fishing vessel 'Playa de Bakio' was also anchored 5km offshore, after being hijacked on 20 April 2008.

Gaan airstrip, Somali Coast.
Runway: Length 5000FT (1520m) approximate, unverified.
30� / 210�
Beach sand strip.
Unknown condition.
Warning to air traffic: Pirate and hostile forces at this location!

El Gunier, Somali coast. Point or settlement (abandoned). Possible pirate boat launch location, although there are better launching points nearby at Gaan and Hinbarwaqo.

Harardhere Ghan Road. Pirate supply road.

Harardere coast road track. Harardere - Hinbarwaqo. Dirt track road frequented by pirates, between Harardere and the Hinbarwaqo small boat port on the Somali coast of Indian Ocean. Sandy, unknown condition. Prone to shifting sand.

Ransom information update.
Pirates are demanding a ransom for the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star. Farah Abd Jameh, presented as one of the pirates spoken with by satphone, was broadcast by Al-Jazeera via audio feed:
"Negotiators are located on board the ship and on land. Once they have agreed on the ransom, it will be taken in cash to the oil tanker. We assure the safety of the ship that carries the ransom. We will mechanically count the money and we have machines that can detect fake money."

Further updates may be added as they become publicly releasable.