Kasargod crew members aboard hijacked vessel released
Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, Jul 22: In a news that has brought much relief, the two crew members from Kasargod who were aboard the ship that was hijacked by suspected pirates near West Africa on July 15, have been released along with the rest of the crew.
Vasanth Kumar and Babu
The Turkish-owned MV Cotton, Maltese-flagged chemical tanker was believed to be hijacked off the coast of Gabon while awaiting berthing in the Gulf of Guinea.
Vasanth Kumar (30), a resident of Melparamba, Nadakkal in Kalnad, and Babu (34), a resident of Palakunnu, Uduma were among the 24-member Indian crew on the ship.
Mumbai-based V Ships, the crew manager for the vessel, informed the family members on Monday July 22 morning that the vessel had been released and the crew members were safe.
"MV Cotton back under control of crew. All crew of MV Cotton safe," ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.
Sources said that the vessel was released at Togo in West Africa and the suspected pirates had hijacked it to get hold of the oil.
Vasanth Kumar, son of Raghava and Pushpa, has been in shipping for the past ten years, and joined the present ship about 7 months ago. He is married to Priya and the couple have a daughter.
Babu, son of the late Kannan and Vellachi, has been in shipping for the past 13 years. He is married to Srividya and the couple have a daughter by name Tanya.