(1)3 crewmen abducted by pirates confirmed safe

(1)3 crewmen abducted by pirates confirmed safe

BUTTERWORTH, Malaysia - An official of Kondo Kaiji Co., tells reporters in Butterworth on March 20 that the three crew members of its tugboat Idaten who had been abducted by pirates in the Malacca Strait last week are all safe.

Hijacked Japanese tug leaves for Indonesia under Malaysia escort

Hijacked Japanese tug leaves for Indonesia under Malaysia escort

BUTTERWORTH, Malaysia - The Japanese-owned tugboat Idaten, whose captain and two other crew members were abducted by pirates in the Malacca Strait on March 14, sails off the northwestern Malaysian port of Butterworth on March 20 headed for Indonesia's Batam Island near Singapore.

(2)President of attacked tugboat owner meets crew members

(2)President of attacked tugboat owner meets crew members

BUTTERWORTH, Malaysia - Kanji Kondo, president of Kondo Kaiji Co., which owns the tugboat pirates attacked March 14 in the Malacca Strait, examines the 323-ton tugboat Idaten off Butterworth, Malaysia, on March 17.

(1)President of attacked tugboat owner meets crew members

(1)President of attacked tugboat owner meets crew members

BUTTERWORTH, Malaysia - Kanji Kondo (R), president of Kondo Kaiji Co., which owns the tugboat pirates attacked March 14 in the Malacca Strait, boards the 323-ton tugboat Idaten to meet crew members off Butterworth, Malaysia, on March 17.

Japanese-owned tugboat arrives in Penang after attack

Japanese-owned tugboat arrives in Penang after attack

BUTTERWORTH, Malaysia - The 323-ton Japanese-owned tugboat Idaten, attacked by pirates in the Malacca Strait on March 14, arrived at Butterworth in Penang Province on March 15 with 11 crew members. Three other crew members on the tugboat were kidnapped by pirates.