Ariana crew released from pirates still needs help

14.12.2009 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: Ariana (blog.kievukraine.info)

The crew of cargo ship Ariana freed from pirate captivity still needs help, fuel, water and food, said Nina Karpacheva, Ukrainian Supreme Duma [Parliament] commissioner for human rights.

Bulker Ariana was captured on May 2 in Indian Ocean 250 miles southwest Seychelles. The vessel carried 35,000 tonnes of soy from Brazil to Middle East. Pirates sailed the ship to port of Hobyo, central Somalia and demanded a ransom from the shipowner. On Dec 10 the vessel was released by ransom of $2.8 mln. The sailors will return home by the end of the year, reported Ukrainian MFA on Thursday.

According to the commissioner's press service, at previous night there was a phone talk between Mrs. Karpacheva and the shipmaster of Ariana Gennady Voronin. In particular, he confuted media reports that the vessel was moving.

"We're staying at the same place without fuel, the only difference that there are no pirates. We've no idea when we get fuel", said the shipmaster.

According to him, US frigate approached to Ariana and supplied it with small amount of fuel for diesel generator. That fuel is enough for illumination and life support systems for two days but not for propulsion engine. American servicemen gave some food and drinking water as well.

Besides, ship's medical officer executed first medical examination of Ariana crew and concluded nobody needed emergency care, although everyone was sick more or less.

Once the vessel is supplied with fuel, it will head for nearest port to the north, added the shipmaster.