DUBAI // Maritime aid workers and families of sailors freed from the captivity of pirates have urged governments to step up the pressure on pirate gangs in securing the release of 38 seafarers, who were abducted by Somalian pirates four years ago.
Two weeks after a maritime charity group secured the release of 11 crew members of the MV Albedo cargo ship, they have now urged governments, including the UAE’s, to help free the remaining captives.
“Countries can come together and lobby for their release,” said Nareman Jawaid, a Dubai resident and daughter of Jawaid Khan, the captain of the MV Albedo, who, along with six Pakistani crew members, was freed from captivity in August 2012.
They were released after their families collected a portion of the ransom that the pirates demanded.
“In anti-piracy conferences there should be an effort to get the remaining crew back,” said Ms Jawaid. “This can be done by the UAE government and others, because there is no reason you cannot leverage existing relationships if you have the influence and the power to save lives.
“This will alleviate the suffering that other families are going through. Governments of the [hijack victims] are responsible for protecting their citizens and can intervene. These families have lost four years of their lives, it’s as if they are living in limbo.”
The Malaysian-flagged MV Albedo was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden after leaving Jebel Ali port in November 2010. The ship sank last July and four Sri Lankan crew members were reported missing.
The Somalian pirates were holding seven Bangladeshi crew members, two Sri Lankans, an Indian and an Iranian on land.
The 11 sailors were freed on June 8 after a rift between pirate gangs over a small settlement negotiated by the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP).
The 38 abducted sailors in Somalia include four Thai fishermen, seven Indian crew members of the MT Asphalt Venture, and 27 sailors off the MV Neham 3, who hail from Taiwan, China, Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
“The UAE government has strong links with the federal Somali government and regional governments, and we’re asking regional governments to do all they can to secure the release of the 38 men,” said Peter Swift, the chairman of the MPHRP.
“The regional administrations are probably in touch with the clan elders, and the senior community members can, at a humanitarian level, call for their release.
“We have stressed that there is no money to give because in all these cases the [ship] owners have walked away, there is no insurance and the families are poor.”
The UAE has consistently supported attempts to bring peace to Somalia. It has organised international piracy conferences and backed programmes to strengthen and provide employment to local communities.
MPHRP workers provide counselling to the victims’ families, and the group has contributed towards their education fees, medical costs and rent payments.
In India, the government has organised a recruitment fair for ship owners and associations to provide employment opportunities to seafarers.
Despite a drop in pirate attacks in the past year, continued vigilance at sea was vital, said John Steed, a retired British colonel who works with the United Nation’s hostage relief programme.
Col Steed played a key role in the MV Albedo negotiations. “It can so easily go backwards,” he said.
“Ships must avoid high-risk areas. Our plea to the shipping industry is to keep taking necessary precautions to protect their men or we will have more ships taken and will be back to square one.”
Captain Khan said he empathised with the families of the 38 hostages.
“My nightmares are lessening and the agony of our families has lightened,” he said.
“But for the other families there is a wound they must be feeling, it’s a weight inside and it hurts all the time.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
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Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
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Sri Lanka Test squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (stand-in captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan and Lasith Embuldeniya.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
