Reports on Beluga Nomination tragedy (we can say now, that it’s a tragedy) are still confused.

We don’t know exact number of seamen escaped from highjacked vessel. We don’t know for sure who exactly was killed. Ecoterra Intl reports the deaths of one crewmember, Russian, and one pirate, both killed by fire from Seyshelles navy boat and Danish fregate HDMS Esbern Snare on Jan 26. Other media and seamen from other vessels of Beluga Group claim perished crewmember was bosun, Philippinese.

Ecoterra and other media report four crewmembers tried to escape during a turmoil and chaos caused by navy fire. Two escaped on self launching lifeboat, released by 2 officer (Ukranian), three more jumped into the boat. Boat with two seamen, Ukranian 2 officer and Philippinese seaman, was found on Jan 28 by HDMS Esbern Snare, both sailors and alive and in good health, under the circumstances. What about other two? They’re considered to be missing. How come navies didn’t pick them up immediately after attack and their escape? What about missing two, did they miss the boat and got into sea? Why navies didn’t rescue them on the spot?
There are legal considerations. Why did navies open a fire on  Beluga Nomination, did they have such a right? Vessel is under Antigua flag, vessel belongs to a German company, crew is multinational with no Seyshelles or Denmark nationalities on board, owners of the cargoes are also miltinational.

One may say that when navies approached vessel, pirates paniced, and navies had to interfere in order to save the crew. Well then, why did they approach vessel that close, in the first place? Why didn’t they save the crew? We have two confirmed dead and two presumably missed, was it all then, a salvage, or a massacre? Is there any way to stop navies hasty, and very dangerous for the crew, actions? How to control the navies, or they’re out of any control?

If we have a war in there, why this war is so secret? Why, in general, when shipowners try to ransom their highjacked vessels or hire private armed guards, their actions are considered nearly illegal? Senseless waste of money and efforts on pirates prosecution is a matter of international importance and proportions, while safety of seafarers seems to be the least care of politicians  and maritime organizations.

The only positive news is the statement of Beluga company, in which company promised all seamen manning Group’s vessels, that no other vessel of the Group will from now on transit dangerous waters without armed guards on board.

A pic from German magazine Spiegel – Beluga Nomination with pirates on board, before devastation wreaked by navies.