You may blame it on Stockholm Syndrome but some of the MT Stolt Valor crew members, relieved as they are to be on their way home, do not seem to be exactly agitated with their Somali captors.
Second officer’s father says information on torture ‘incorrect’You may blame it on Stockholm Syndrome but some of the MT Stolt Valor crew members, relieved as they are to be on their way home, do not seem to be exactly agitated with their Somali captors.
Of the 18 Indian crew members, at least two called up their kin to give an account of their experience during captivity of the Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Both clearly indicate that their period in captivity has been blown out of proportions as “tortuous” by media.
Capt P Unnikrishna, who spoke on the phone with his son P Ulhaskrishnan, a second officer on board MT Stolt Valor, chuckled, “He said he had put on weight in the two months, due to lack of work. He was sounding composed and said he was in good health, as were the other crew members.”
Unnikrishna told DNA, “The incorrect information on torture reported in the media caused us torture. Issues regarding food, water and unhygienic living condition were just hearsay.” News emanating from the ship now indicate that there was no hygiene issue or the crew members being starved by the captors.
Cadet Santosh Patil, another captive, informed his brother Sunil on Monday that all their personal belongings like laptops were returned by the Somali pirates.
“A ship is well-maintained and well-stocked, and has the provision of making fresh water on board,” said Aashish Sinha, business development manager, Ebony Ship Mgmt (P) Ltd (ESML), who were crew managers for the vessel concerned.
Capt Unnikrishna also had a telecon with Capt PK Goyal, the master of the vessel, on Monday morning. Stolt Valor is out of Somalian territorial waters now and is expected to arrive in Mumbai on November 24.
Somali hijackers used the crew members to persuade their kin to pressure the Japanese owner, Yama Maru Kissen c/o Central Marine, to extract the ransom money (yet undisclosed).
“Some parents were in touch with their sons when the ship was hijacked. Hijackers were trying to put pressure on the families, who in turn put pressure on the owner to arrange for the ransom amount,” said P Unnikrishna.
On government’s role, Capt Prashant Rangnekar, general manager, ESML, said, “Once the vessel is hijacked the negotiation is between the owner and the hijacker. The government can only ensure presence of patrolling troops at the Gulf of Aden strip, the danger zone.”
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