rafael epstein, "lateline." >> and in somalia, pirates have released a german containership and its crewthe ship was captured 400 miles off of the coast of somalia and the crew were held for ransom. as those from many other vessels have been. well, yesterday the owners of the ship paid the pirates almost $3 million. we have more on this tonight from germany's deutsche welle. >> reporter: after months of waiting the owner of the "hansa stavanger" can finely breathe a sigh of relief. all of the crew members are in good health and doing well. >> translator: it was an almost unbearable time for the crew and their families. i think none of us can imagine how stressful the situation must have been for them. >> reporter: the crew was held in captivity with little to eat or drink and no medicine. according to media reports, the pirates carried out mock executions of their hostages. the german government has expressed relief at their release. >> translator: once they arrive in mombasa, the crew, including the five germans among them, will be flown to their home countries. i hope that with their f