For the past two days, Somali pirates have taken 23 members of the Bangladeshi crew captive on board the captured Bangladesh flag-bearing vessel, MV Abdullah. The wait for the release of the Bangladeshi crew members has lengthened, according to the ship’s owner firm, since the pirates have not yet communicated.The ship’s owner, Kabir Group, reported on Saturday that the vessel had moved Friday to a location close to the Somalian shore and had stayed there. As of Sunday night, there was no word of any communication.Prothom Alo was informed today by Mizanul Islam, the communications consultant for Kabir Group, “We can only say that the crewmen on board the ship are in good health.” The ship is still where it is. However,
Thirteen years ago, Somali pirates took over the MV Jahan Moni, which carried the flag of Bangladesh. The ship’s master captain, Farid Ahmed, told Prothom Alo that after seizing possession of the ship, the pirates typically establish communication. They have delegates who handle these kinds of interactions. Usually, satellite phones are used to establish contact.
The MV Abdullah was taken over by Somali pirates on Tuesday in the Indian Ocean, and on Thursday they managed to get the ship off the coast. Later, the ship’s location was altered twice. On Thursday afternoon, the ship was anchored seven nautical miles off the coast of Garacad, Somalia. Later on Friday, when the ship was anchored 40–45 miles off the shore, the pirates took it still farther away.Skilled seamen stated that unless the pirates communicated, the operation of rescuing the ship could not begin. The ship owners, however, have contributed in their own way by getting in touch via a number of avenues.
