Working Conditions Aboard the Skoul-Glaz

In a recent edition of the Maritime Union Telegraph (No 7 (80)), the Seamen Union of Russia (SUR) has raised serious allegations against Bourbon, suggesting possible collusion between the company and pirates involved in the hijacking of the AHS Bourbon Liberty 249 in the Gulf of Guinea. On October 15, seven crew members from Russia and Estonia were abducted, only to be released on November 1 after an assumed ransom was paid to their captors. From the onset of this incident, SUR has been vocal in its criticism of Bourbon, demanding access to the company’s Russian branch in St. Petersburg and attempting to insert itself into the negotiations for the crew's safe return. However, Bourbon has reportedly rebuffed these attempts, stating that SUR does not hold any legitimate status with either the company or the kidnapped seafarers. SUR has further pressed Bourbon for the identification of the abducted crew members, seemingly in hopes of contacting their families to encourage them to appoint SUR as the legal representative for the affected seamen. It’s important to note that while SUR is affiliated with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), it has no formal agreement with Bourbon’s Russian branch. It remains unclear whether Bourbon, as a whole, has any existing agreements with the ITF or its associates. The union appears to be leveraging this hijacking incident as an opportunity to compel Bourbon into negotiations, aiming for both an agreement and increased visibility, along with potential financial benefits for the union. For further details on this developing story, visit http://www.odin.tc/news/read.asp?articleID=1571.

On November 1, 2012, the French oil and gas services firm Bourbon announced the successful release of seven sailors who had been abducted off the coast of Nigeria’s oil-rich delta. The group included six Russian nationals and one Estonian, all of whom were taken from one of Bourbon's vessels. The company confirmed in a statement released on Thursday that the sailors were safe and in 'good health' following their ordeal. They are expected to depart Nigeria within the next few days. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maritime security in the region. For more details, visit http://rapsinews.com/news/20121018/265048080.html.

In a recent statement from the Nigerian Navy reported by Xinhua on October 18, there were indications of a forceful release plan for the AHT Bourbon Liberty 249. However, it seems there may be confusion regarding the actual situation surrounding the vessel. The AHT Bourbon Liberty 249 docked at Onne port early on the morning of October 17, following a pirate attack that led to the kidnapping of seven crew members, including the master and chief engineer. Importantly, the pirates did not hijack the vessel but specifically targeted the foreign crew, leaving the Nigerian crew unharmed. To ensure the vessel's safe transit from Pennington to Onne, Bourbon Offshore had to transfer personnel from the AHT Bourbon Liberty 236. Subsequent clarifications were provided to Russian media, outlining the misunderstanding in reporting by Xinhua. Furthermore, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the absence of specific locations for the kidnapped crew members, emphasizing a lack of knowledge regarding their current captivity conditions. For further details, you can read the full report at http://www.odin.tc/news/read.asp?articleID=1450.