Hi Bruce - I'm working in the bulk vegoil sector now. We lost a couple of ships to pirates last year. Both were relaeased after about 3 months of negotiations with all crew intact and unharmed - not sure of the settlement figure, but with ships running out of fueloil bunkers, the cargoes on board were not heated and so discharge capability and quality were both compromised. One, the Biscaglia went on to do business for one of our clients, and the other begative of this episode, namely fouling of the hull underside by marine growth. The vessel went from being a 13 knots steamer downto 8.5 knots. The ship subsequently dry-docked for bottom cleaning and is now back in good service. Interesting report
available here (you may have seen this site already).