Pirates in action in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A band of dozens of pirates robbed the crew of the Samudera Perkasa IV tugboat in the waters off North Aceh, some 40 miles from Lhokseumawe beach.

No fatalities were reported in the incident, which happened on Monday night. The armed pirates escaped with global positioning system equipment, life jackets, binoculars, Rp 60 million (US$6,316) in cash and assorted valuables from the 13 crew members of the tugboat.

After two days sailing in Aceh waters without navigational equipment, the tugboat went aground on Ulee Glee beach, Banda Aceh, on Wednesday, said Daniel, 26, one of the crew. -- JP