The 10-month ordeal of Pakistani hostages, who were freed by Somali pirates after getting ransom, appears to last longer as their return to homes has been hampered due to development of a fault in tug boat of MV Suez and high sea waves. Naval Chief Admiral Nauman Bashir Sunday directed PNS Babar to transfer the crew of MV Suez on frigate to rescue them.
According to the latest reports, all people aboard the Egyptian vessel have been shifted to PNS Babar, Pakistan naval ship. Captain Wasi and his crew continue to remain in the grip of difficulties even after winning release from Somali pirates. Tug boat, which was taking the freed Egyptian merchant ship to Oman, developed some technical fault 75 kilometers from the coast of Salalah.
The owner of MV Suez was informed about the situation, but he kept on telling lies that a new tug boat was coming to rescue the ship. Earlier, the Captain of MV Suez appealed to the ministry of foreign affairs and the Chief of Pakistan Navy seeking immediate help in view of their vessel being caught in strong winds feared capsizing since its release with 22-member crew of board by the Somalian pirates and series of misfortunes latest among them the break down of the tug towing MV Suez.
MV Suez Captain Wasi told a private TV channel that the weather was threatening due to monsoon and their immediate retrieval may be arranged. The Captain said that no law was more important than saving human lives, “We are in the open sea for last three days; owner of the ship has thus far not sent the fuel.” He said that he was in contact with the PNS Babar officials, they could rescue them. He said 72 hours ago at first he had contacted the owner of the ship and now we are 75 miles away from the Salalah port of Oman.
He had appealed to the Pakistan authorities for saving their lives. He said strong monsoon winds threatening the ship capsizing. Captain Wasi said leaving our vessel, we have decided to move over to PNS Babar, we have save our lives, wherever the PNS Babar takes us, we would be going.
