LAKEWOOD RANCH — A Manatee County man is among the crew of a U.S. flagged cargo ship hijacked off the Horn of Africa by Somali pirates.
Ken Quinn is the second mate aboard the Maersk Alabama. The 54 year old told CNN in a live interview Wednesday that the crew had held him as a hostage for 12 hours before returning him.
Quinn lives in Lakewood Ranch with his wife, Zoya, 30, and their two sons, 3 year old Jason and 2 month old Justin.
In a brief interview this morning at the couple's Lakewood Ranch house, the Ukrainian born Zoya Quinn said she received a call from her husband Wednesday afternoon. Ken Quinn said that he was free from the Pirates and unharmed.
Zoya Quinn said she has been frustrated and concerned by the act of piracy. She seemed exhausted by the ordeal, and taking care of her two young sons.
The family has lived in Lakewood Ranch about four years and previously lived in Ellenton, Zoya Quinn said.
Ken Quinn was about a month into a four-month stint of sea duty, but told his wife he's ready to come home if his company will allow it.
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