Assistance in release of crew from unlawful detention in Equatorial Guinea
We, the crew of MT Heroic Idun would like to request for help and assistance to get us released and be brought back to India from Equatorial Guinea where we have been held unlawfully since 14th August 2022.
The vessel has a total crew of 26 persons and out of that we have 16 Indians, 8 Sri Lankans, 1 Polish and 1 Filipino national onboard.
The vessel was arrested by the Equatorial Guinea naval ship in international waters on 12th August 2022 and brought to Luba port in Equatorial Guinea under naval escort and threat of lethal action against the vessel and crew if orders are not complied on 14th August 2022.
As per information provided to us the vessel was arrested based on request made by Nigeria. The ship was supposed to load cargo of crude oil in Nigeria’s AKPO terminal on 08th August 2022, but as per terminal instructions the loading operation was delayed, and the ship never made any operations in Nigeria. On the evening of 8th of August 2022, the ship was approached by an unidentified craft claiming to be Nigerian Navy and asked to proceed with them and follow instructions. We could not identify the craft as it was night, and no moon light was there, and the craft did not have its Automatic Identification System switched on.
We tried our best to confirm the identity of the unidentified craft through the vessel agents in Nigeria, Inchcape Shipping Services and through our ship managers OSM Ship Management AS Norway, who also tried to confirm the presence of a Naval Vessel in the vicinity of our ship through various sources namely DNK was risk insurance, Ships local agent Inchcape Shipping Services Nigeria and ARC Security. All parties informed us that this is not a normal course of action by the Nigerian Navy and that the vessel should not follow any orders unless clear instructions relating to the identity of the unidentified craft are received. We also tried to confirm the same with the AKPO terminal security and they also could not positively identify the craft. Based on the information available and Nigeria being a High-Risk Area for security purposes fearing a pirate attach we acted in good faith fearing for the safety and security of the ship and its crew and sailed out of the location at full speed. The next day on 9th August 2022 it was informed to us that the unidentified craft was a Nigerian Naval vessel.
On 12th August, the ship was arrested by Equatorial Guinea naval vessel from International Waters and brought to Luba Port on 14th August 2022.
15 crew members were taken ashore on the same day consisting of 9 Indians also and have ever since been held in detention at Malabo till today. 11 crew members were left on the ship out of which are 6 Indian nationals. The Owners, Managers and crew of the vessel have fully cooperated with all the investigations carried out by the Equatorial Guinea authorities. The crew ashore were even interrogated by Nigerian officials 3 times during our stay here.
Nigerian officials also visited the ship at Luba to carry out their investigations. We have always been truth full and fully cooperated with all investigations and submitted all proof and documents regarding the same to both Equatorial Guinea and Nigerian Authorities. Despite not being engaged in any unlawful activities and in good faith the assist any investigations all parties concerned have been extremely cooperative with the authorities.
On 28th September 2022, the crew ashore in Malabo were presented with a resolution stating the offences committed and the fine to be paid for the same. To facilitate an early release of the crew from captivity fearing serious health concerns the owners of the vessel immediately paid the fine within a week and same has been confirmed received by the Equatorial Guinea authorities.
However, post that no information has been provided to us and the crew and ship are still held in Equatorial Guinea under arrest till date.
Although we have not been mistreated or harassed in any way by the Equatorial Guinea authorities and appreciate the same but since all investigations and payment of fine has been completed, we seek your help and assistance in facilitating our release.
The crew members onboard the ship and the crew members held ashore are in an extremely critical mental condition and their physical health is also deteriorating rapidly.
The above is a message from our contacts on the vessel, arrest and crews .
