Discover the Diavolo-Rosso: Ratings & Maritime News

In a significant development, all 15 crew members held captive by pirates after an attack on the tanker Davide B have been safely released. Reports suggest that a ransom may have been negotiated to facilitate their freedom. The ordeal began on March 11 when pirates successfully boarded the vessel, capturing nearly all the crew before they could access the citadel for safety. For over a month, these seafarers were held ashore as discussions took place between the ship's management and those responsible for the hostage situation. Chiara de Poli, CEO of De Poli, confirmed that the crew members have re-established contact with their families following their release. Despite the challenging circumstances they faced, all crew members are reported to be in relatively good health. They will undergo medical evaluations and are expected to return to their home countries soon.

In a successful operation, ten Filipino crew members who were previously kidnapped from the tanker 'Davide B.' near the coast of Benin on March 11 have finally returned to their homeland. Their arrival on April 20 marked the end of a harrowing ordeal, facilitated by the collaborative efforts of the Philippine government, which coordinated through its embassies in Abuja and The Hague, the Dutch owners of the vessel, and the local manning agency, Elburg Ship Management Philippines. Remarkably, all 15 crew members who were taken from the 'Davide B.' have now been freed and are reported to be safe. Upon their return, the crew has begun medical assessments and are generally in good health, especially considering the challenging conditions they faced during their captivity. The crew of 'Davide B.' included sailors from various nationalities, including Filipino, Ukrainian, and Romanian seafarers.

On April 14, a major breakthrough occurred when the 15 crew members abducted from the 'Davide B' were released by pirates off the coast of West Africa. The crew was initially taken hostage on March 11 near Benin. Chiara de Poli, director of De Poli Tankers, based in Barendrecht, expressed her relief and joy at the safe return of the crew, who are primarily from Eastern Europe and the Philippines. According to De Poli, the hostages were 'in relatively good condition given the difficult circumstances they faced in recent weeks,' which speaks to their resilience. The diverse nationality of the crew includes individuals from the Philippines, Latvia, Russia, and Lithuania, suggesting they were likely held in a pirate camp in Nigeria during their capture. While it remains unclear whether a ransom was paid, the ordeal was fraught with tension. The 'Davide B.' was on its way from Riga to deliver lubricating oil at the Nigerian port of Lagos and had secured a private armed escort approximately 200 nautical miles off Nigeria's coast. However, the pirates struck early, approximately 210 nautical miles offshore. During the attack, the 21 crew members sought refuge in the ship's citadel, but despite calling for help, the escort vessel arrived too late. Eventually, the pirates breached the citadel and abducted the officers while leaving six crew members unable to operate the tanker. Following the incident, locally hired officers navigated the 'Davide B.' to Ghana, where it is expected to unload its cargo in Lagos this week with a completely new crew. The maritime community remains on high alert as piracy threats continue to pose significant risks in the region.