A liberated Emirati ship. Spanish sailors to the rescue

(BRUSSELS2) After a year of captivity, the MV Royal Grace was released along with the crew. This Emirati chemical tanker, flying the Panamanian flag, was captured by pirates on March 2, 2012 off the coast of Oman, while en route from Dubai to Nigeria. It was among the ships that the Somali president recently hoped to release through negotiation with the pirates (read: The hostages of the pirates being released?). A ransom would have been paid according to the Puntland authorities as reported by the Reuters agency.

Yesterday morning (Friday March 8), while the Mendez Nunez “ was conducting anti-piracy patrols 20 nautical miles off the northern coast of Somalia " - says the duty officer at Eunavfor Atalanta HQ - he saw the MV Royal " drifting north of her pirate anchorage at a speed of 4 knots ". Shortly after, the bridge of the Spanish ship " received a radio call from the captain of the MV Royal Grace, confirming that his ship was free and that his 20-man crew (*) needed food, water and medical assistance”.

The captain of the Méndez Núñez then quickly sent his visiting teams and a medical team to provide first aid and the necessary water and food. The MV Royal Grace was then able to resume its journey. It is en route to Mascatte (Muscat) under the surveillance of another vessel of the European fleet, the Rayo (of the Spanish navy).

(*) The crew comprised 22 people in all departing from Dubai: 17 Indians, 1 Pakistani, 1 Bangali, 3 Nigerians. One of the Nigerians died during captivity due to lack of treatment and medication.