Freed MT Gemini & Crew Arrive in Mombasa
Pirates Released 21 of 25 Crew, Still Holding South Koreans
By Andrew Mwangura of Somalia Report
The Singaporean flagged oil products tanker MT Gemini safely anchored at “O” anchorage at the port of Mombasa, Kenya Monday evening at 17:25 hrs after being freed by Somalia pirates five days ago.
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MT Gemini (Photo: inibanda.blogspot.com)
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While under tight security, the vessel entered the port and the crew members underwent a military debriefing before they were allowed to go ashore for medical check-up and to meet their diplomatic representatives.
The crew told Somalia Report that their Somali pirate captors robbed them on their first and last day of captivity, but did not abuse them during the seven month ordeal.
Pirates released 21 of the 25 crew, keeping four South Korean hostages as bargaining chips in their negotiations with the South Korean government. The pirates are seeking to win the release of Somali pirates being held in South Korean prisons by swapping hostages for prisoners.
The South Korean crew members left behind includes the Master, Chief Engineer, Chief Mate and Second Mate.
Sources close to piracy circles said that the pirates received US$ 6 million ransom to secure the release of the vessel and her 21 crew members; they are now demanding to be paid compensation amounting to US$ 4 million by the South Korean government for the loss of life of their 10 colleagues who were shot dead by South Korean commandos during rescue mission on MV Samho Dream in April 2011.
Local ship agents of the vessel in Mombasa said that all crew members of the vessel will be staying in a Mombasa hotel where upon they will undergo general medical checkup before flying home mid-this week.
The ship agents said that the vessel will be supplied with fresh ship stores and a new full crew before sailing out from Mombasa.
MT Gemini was hijacked by pirates on April 30th 2011 while under way in position 0700 south-04120 east approximately 180 nautical miles east of Malindi, Kenya while heading to Mombasa from Kuala Tonjung, Malaysia laden with 28,000 tons of palm oil.
Crew members of the vessel are comprised of 4 South Koreans, 5 Chinese, 13 Indonesians and 3 Myanmar nationals.
The vessel is owned by the Singapore based Golden Spring Line and is managed by Glory Shipping Management PTE Limited of Singapore.
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