One of the crew members on board the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Celine has threatened his mates to set the vessel on fire.
Photo: B. Meier
The dramatic incident took place on August 19 while the vessel was leaving Sesimbra, Portugal.
According to the Portuguese Navy, its special forces manged to board the vessel after being informed that the sailor had already attacked a mate and threatened to kill the rest.
Having taken refuge on the bridge of the vessel, the crew sent a distress signal.
The Portuguese Navy corvette NRP Antonio Enes was dispatched to the scene. The team manged to take control over the vessel at around 3 p.m. local time. The crew member has been arrested.
The cargo ship, which is laden with wood pulp, continued towards its original destination – Port of Ceuta.
Celine (IMO number 9508653 and MMSI 636016747) was built in 2011.