Frigate Neustrashimy approached the vessel released from pirates

11.03.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: frigate Neustrashimy (topnews.ru)

Baltic Fleet frigate Neustrashimy is presently several cables away from tunaboat Thai Union 3 released from pirate captivity and escorted by BSF tugboat SB-36, informed Tuesday RIA Novosti referring to representative of the shipowner.

Tuna seiner Thai Union-3 belongs to Thai company grouping Thai Union, supplier of frozen fish and seafood. The vessel was captured by Somali pirates on Oct 29, 2009 and since that time stayed at pirate base in Somalia. It was reported last weekend that pirates released the seiner for ransom which amount is undisclosed. The ship's complement consists of 23 Russians (basically residents of Kaliningrad region), two Ghanaians and two Filipinos.

"This afternoon, at 01.30 pm Moscow time Russian frigate Neustrashimy which is deployed in the Gulf of Aden approached tugboat SB-36 and fishing vessel Thai Union 3. According to our information, there is group of investigators on board Russian warship", said the interviewee.

He assumed that investigators arrived to carry out inquiry actions with the crew of released vessel.

RIA Novosti has not received any comment from RF Investigative Committee so far.

Tugboat SB-36 and seiner Thai Union 3 are expected to reach territorial waters of Seychelles on March 11, reported RIA Novosti citing Russian Navy's official.

According to him, the crew of Thai Union 3 performs its navigation functions. Tugboat SB-36 is several cables away from the seiner, added the interviewee.

It was previously reported by Dmitry Shport, fleet manager of company grouping Thai Union that the fishing vessel had met with Russian tugboat and together they headed for Seychelles.

According to tentative agreement, BSF salvage tug SB-36 set about securing and escorting the seiner Thai Union 3 from dangerous zone frontier to territorial waters of Seychelles. Upon arrival to appointed area, the released vessel will be handed over to coast guard of Seychelles.

The shift complement will meet the seiner at Seychelles, said Mr. Shport. New shift will check technical status of the vessel and provide repair if needed; released crew will pass medical examination, get necessary medical and psychological aid and fly home as soon as possible.