The Wood-Stock: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a dramatic turn of events, a French sailor who was abducted by pirates has been successfully rescued on Tuesday, June 18, following an attack on his ship, the oil products tanker 'Adour', off the coast of Togo. The incident unfolded on June 13, when the 'Adour' was targeted approximately 30 nautical miles from the Togolese shoreline. According to General Bata Dembiro, a military leader in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region, a combined operation by the Nigerian navy and French marines was launched to retake the vessel after the pirates seized control. During the assault, the hostage, identified as Benjamin Elan, was taken by the criminals to facilitate their escape. Fortunately, the remaining 14 crew members were released unharmed. General Dembiro provided information on the operation, stating, "The rescued foreign ship worker was abducted in Togo aboard an oil tanker and brought to Bayelsa state in Nigeria by suspected kidnappers," when he spoke with Reuters. This incident highlights the ongoing threat of piracy in Gulf of Guinea waters.

On June 17, the tanker 'Adour' regained its freedom after being hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) confirmed the vessel's hijacking, but fortunately, there were no reported losses associated with the incident. The owners of the 'Adour' lost communication with the ship on June 6 while it was navigating off the coast of Togo, prompting the IMB to alert other vessels in the vicinity to exercise heightened caution. Following its release, the 'Adour' is now en route to a secure port for further safety measures.

The French chemical tanker Adour has been reported missing since June 13, with its last known coordinates recorded at 04:00 UTC that day, located at 05°41'N 001°18'E. This position is approximately 30 nautical miles south of Lome, Togo, shortly after the vessel departed from Lome's anchorage, likely following a ship-to-ship transfer. Given the circumstances, there are rising concerns that the Adour may have been hijacked by pirates. As of now, the operator of the tanker has not issued any statements regarding the incident. The ship is commanded by a French captain and chief officer, while the remainder of the crew comprises a diverse international team.