Kidnapped Russian shipmaster of MV North Spirit got on for contact

21.05.2010 The shipmaster of MV North Spirit who was kidnapped in Cameroon got on for phone contact with the shipowner on Thursday, reports Interfax referring to Russian Guild of Sailors.

As was said by captured Russian shipmaster Boris Tersintsev, he and chief engineer Igor Shumik are alive and well. Kidnappers themselves gave hostages a cell phone, although allowed to talk only for a minute.

Tersintsev and Shumik were brought to Nigeria by sea, specifies RIA Novosti. It has not been reported of a ransom so far. Also, it is not clear what organization is responsible for attack upon North Spirit and kidnapping of two Russian sailors.

We recall that about 20 armed people boarded the vessel in the evening of May 16 when the ship was off the Douala port. They disabled shipborne navigational equipment and took away the shipmaster and chief engineer.

According to Russian foreign ministry, Tersintsev and Shumik were kidnapped by militants of Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). This information was received from Cameroon's security agencies. Meanwhile, French journalists talked with representatives of MEND in Cameroon; the militants denied any involvement, reported Interfax citing a source in Russian Guild of Sailors.

Cargo ship North Spirit flying the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines belongs to Greek company Balthellas Chartering S.A. The crew consists of Russian and Ukrainian sailors.