Bangladeshi Mariners under Somalian Pirates control – Appeal for Assistance

Dear mariners,

It is very distressing to inform you that  Bangladeshi ship MV Jahan Moni, with 26 officers and crew (including Chief Engineer’s  wife) are in  Somalian  Pirates control since Sunday 5th of December. They are restrained together and confined in the bridge with little food and water.

US Government has already informed the Bangladesh Government that no other alternatives are viable; except to pay the ransom to  release the hostages.  In spite of  two press conferences by the families of these seafarers, the incident is not getting the apparent media coverage.  The Bangladesh Government and the Ship Owner entity are showing no empathy to this grave situation.  No sense of urgency has been observed to expedite the release of these hostages.  The families  are utterly frustrated as they  are not given  timely and accurate  information.  Every moment is  passed in agony and tears.

We urge individuals and relevant organizations (i.e. Merchant Navy Associations, Maritime Trade Unions, etc) to build a strong substantial lobby; and persuade the Bangladesh Government, Under Writers and Ship Owner to take immediate action to release these unfortunate sailors.

Please forward this appeal to other Mariners/Associations (and discard if you receive repeat emails).

Kind Regards,

On behalf of Bangladeshi Mariners in Melbourne
Dilwar Ali (6^th)