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maritime piracy

Sailors from the Albedo moved to another ship in the hands of pirates

The FV Naham 3 attached to the wreck of the MV Albedo (Credits: EUNAVFOR)
The FV Naham 3 attached to the wreck of the MV Albedo (Credits: EUNAVFOR)

(BRUXELLES2 - exclusive) What happened to the hostages of the MV Albedo after the ship sank? We have already asked ourselves this question (read: (read also: Are the Mv Albedo sailors alive?). But B2 was able to gather the latest information directly from Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant, head of the European Union's anti-piracy operation in the Indian Ocean (EUnavfor Atalanta), during his visit to Brussels. for the military committee. The boat was in poor condition at the time of the sinking. But it seems that several sailors have been transferred to another ship in the hands of the pirates.

A ship in poor condition, in the monsoon zone

Vessel " was not in a protected anchorage area but two miles offshore and directly in the monsoon zone explains the rear admiral. " And during this period of 18 months (since its capture in 2010), it is clear that the ship had become unable to navigate. A lot of water had seeped into the ship. For several months, the water was contained by pumps".

Some hostages still alive

Since the vessel's capture her crew remained on board. according to the elements collected by Eunavfor. " For the moment, our analysis of the situation is that the Albedo has sunk and that the crew, from what we know, has been moved to the Naham 3 close enough, and that they are being held on board. Photos show the Naham 3 is still attached to the Albedo » reports Bob Tarrant.

NB: The Naham 3 is a Thai fishing vessel, under the flag of Oman, captured by pirates in March 2012, off the coast of Somalia, and transformed into a mother ship (source: B2 database)

EUNAVFOR monitors… but nothing more

«  There is nothing sane and safe that can be done without jeopardizing the safety of the hostages. We are monitoring the situation very closely. there are many scenarios that can occur. And we'll see if we can answer it. But we have a ship, which is quite close – not next to it but close – to the wreckage of the Albebo and the Naham 3.”

No certainty about the fate of the sailors

«  We have seen the reports that there have been casualties. But I don't have concrete numbers. We have been searching for 4 or 5 days around the lifeboat found on the beach. But we didn't see anyone in or around the canoe. However, the weather should not be underestimated with the monsoon. It's a very, very difficult and tough time. »

An Iranian pavilion

As the mission's spokesperson reminds us, " vessel is under the Malaysian flag. But he belongs to Iranians. It is up to them to negotiate and decide on a possible operation to take over the ship. The crew comes from several countries. But none of them are from Europe. But we know that the pirates have threatened several times to attack the hostages in the event of an operation ».

Eunavfor's mission is not to free the hostages

« We are in contact with John Steed who handles the hostage situation in the United Nations Political Office for Somalia and negotiates with the pirates on behalf of the families. » But he recalls that We are here to prevent and deter piracy. But our mission is not to handle the hostage situation. ». " We also know that there are groups trying to negotiate with the pirates to free the hostages, the crew members of the Albedo. And we wish them good luck. »

NB: The responsibility lies in fact with the shipowner, and with the various countries concerned (State of the flag or the shipowner and the country whose nationals are held hostage).

Thomas LeBihan

Student in "Public Affairs European Governance course" at Paris I. Intern at B2. Follows the news of the European Parliament.

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