In December 2006,
Farah III was en route from India to South Africa with a cargo of rice when she suffered engine trouble off the east coast of
Sri Lanka. The crew sent out a distress signal and dropped anchor near the town of
Mullaitivu, an area held by the militant rebel faction
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). On December 23, the ship was boarded by members of LTTE's naval wing, the
Sea Tigers. According to the crew, the rebels ordered them to raise the anchor, after trying and failing to blow up the anchor cable, then forced them into smaller boats. The Tigers later denied this account, insisting that were only helping the crew, who were delivered safely to the
Red Cross. but also equipment such as lights and generators. Salam International also reported that they had been unable to secure safe passage for the insurance company and surveyors to visit the ship. ==Capture by LTTE and rescue by the Sri Lanka Army==