Ukrainian crew of MV ARIANA needs now serious help

(Version anglaise seulement)

The Ukrainian crew of a cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia have reportedly pleaded for speedy negotiations for their release after three months in captivity.

The urgent call on Sunday also sought help to ensure the immediate evacuation of a female hostage who is ill. The nature of the illness has not been made public.

"We are exhausted and desperate," the Ukrainian captain of the MV Ariana, Captain Voronov, told AFP by phone from the ship.

In a similar phone call to a Ukrainian doctor in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, the sick female crewmember asked for medical help.

The pirates hijacked the ship and its 24 crew on May 2 north of Madagascar en route to the Middle East, according to an environmental watchdog. The ship was carrying 10,000 tones of soya beans.

The bandits, who are keeping the ship and the hostages against a ransom, have refused to free the woman separately.

So far this year, 114 merchant ships crossing the crucial but dangerous trade route have come under attack, 29 of which were successful. The pirates continue to defy an international naval anti-piracy presence in the region.

Ecoterra has asked for the following important steps to be undertaken in order to resolve the situation :

a) Ill-advised "overflying" by naval forces has to stop immediately in order not to endanger the crew further.

b) Ukrainian government to facilitate measures for medical evacuation of nearly dying female crew member and supply of food and water, using humanitarian organization.

c) Ukrainian government to take lead in supervision of negotiations

d) Streamlining the onion-layered ownership-conglomerate and identification of key responsible from the side of the shipowners.

e) Streamlining the multi-stakeholder interests on the side of the captors and link only with key-decision maker.

f) Ukrainian government to appoint mediator in case the negotiators from the two sides fail.

g) Information on the condition of crew and the ongoing negotiations must be given to next of kind of seafarer families.

h) Finalization of agreement

i) Execution of secured release operation

j) Naval assistance to provide immediate medical aid, supply the crew and vessel and escort the freed ship

The latest information from the ground reports that the vessel is now 50nm offshore from a point 25nm north of Hobyo and has run out of marine diesel oil. Also one of the pirates is said to have been shot and wounded on land last night.

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