Goan sailor, 6 others on Delight arrive in Mumbai
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, JAN 27
The seven Indian crew, including a Goan sailor, of the hijacked ship, M V Delight, released by Somali Pirates on January 9, reached Mumbai on Tuesday.
According to family sources, Clive Fernandes of Agonda reached Mumbai in the wee hours of Tuesday, along with two other Indian sailors, while four others also reached in Mumbai on a different flight later in the day.
The hijack ordeal, which commenced on November 18, after the Iranian-owned ship M V Delight, carrying 38,000 tonnes wheat by Somali pirates off Gulf of Aden ended earlier this month. The owners successfully negotiated with the hijackers for its release. However, the ransom paid to seek its release is not known.
When Herald spoke to Clive over phone, he sounded jubilant after meeting his parents, who welcomed him in Mumbai.
The anxious parents and a close friend had reached Mumbai on Tuesday morning.
After the ship was released after lengthy dealings with Somali pirates on January 9 night, the ship had reportedly reached its home port of Iran by January 17-18.
According to sources, only three Indian crew were signed-off first and were kept in a hotel. After two days, the other four were relieved off their duties after getting their replacements and all the seven were kept in a hotel for helping to complete an inquiry by local authorities.
