Safety of Freed Filipino Crew of "M/T Stolt Strength" Assured

MANILA, April 24 -The 23 Filipino crew of the chemical tanker "M/T Stolt Strength," are now navigating supposedly on safe waters in the Indian Ocean after they were released by Somali pirates on April 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today.

The foreign affairs department said that the vessel and its crew even received bunkering assistance.

DFA said the Philippine Government has established a task force to secure the crew's safety, including bunkering, with Sagana Shipping and Sea Cap manning agency in coordination with the Combined Maritime Task Force and the Manama (Bahrain)-based US Fifth Fleet.

The coordination by the Philippine embassy in Manama also includes the participation of a German naval vessel, which is in constant communication with the stricken chemical tanker.

Latest reports from Manama indicated that the unnamed German vessel rendezvoused with the newly-released "M/T Stolt Strength" on Wednesday, and gave provisions of food, water, and first-aid medicines to the Filipino crew.

German Navy doctors checked on the health conditions of the seafarers, the DFA said.

Planes of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also conduct regular fly-bys on the "M/T Stolt Strength."

Philippine missions in the region have formed quick reaction groups to extend coordinated assistance to "MT Stolt Strength."

Other Philippine diplomatic posts in Abu Dhabi, Nairobi, Abuja and Dubai also extended coordinated assistance.

The DFA said it continuously coordinated with the United States, Germany, France, and other countries which have naval presence in the region, as well as the Combined Maritime Command in Bahrain, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office in Dubai, International Maritime Organization, and the International Maritime Bureau on further assistance to the vessel and its crew. (PNA)