Kidnapped seafarers from m/v Davide B were released

Fifteen crewmembers of the m/v Davide B, including a Russian, were released from pirate captivity. This is reported by De Poli Tankers. The statement said that the seafarers are safe and, given the circumstances, feel satisfactory. The company's chief executive, Chiara de Poli, said they would soon undergo a medical check-up before returning to their families.

Recall that the attack on the tanker under the flag of Malta occurred on March 11, 2021, 210 miles from Lagos (Nigeria), where the ship was heading. The De Poli Tankers said that the seafarers gathered in the citadel after the pirates boarded, but the criminals managed to capture 15 people, leaving only six crewmembers on the vessel. Only six days after the kidnapping, the pirates got in touch, and the company established contact with the abducted employees.

«The last few weeks have been extremely difficult for everyone, especially our sailors and their families. We admire the courage of our crewmembers and thank their relatives for their patience and perseverance,» -Chiara de Poli said. In addition, she expressed her gratitude to the professional consultants, the authorities and everyone who helped resolve this situation. As previously reported, De Poli Tankers does not plan to provide additional information about the negotiations with the pirates, as well as to disclose the conditions of the release of the crewmembers.

The Seafarers Union of Russia reminds that Davide B is covered by the collective agreement signed with the Italian union, and that the amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention have entered into force since December 26, 2020. They guarantee the kidnapped crewmembers the payment of wages for all the period of pirate captivity and repatriation. The changes were a response to the increase in the number of cases of piracy, which first gained momentum in the waters near Somalia. The peak of attacks occurred in 2008-2012 and today piracy flourishes in the Gulf of Guinea