Geo Pakistan

MV Suez crew shifted; ship sinking

KARACHI: The crew of crisis-hit MV Suez ship has been shifted to PNS Babur after Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir ordered the arrangements to save lives. According to the sources, the freed ship was sinking due to rough weather, Geo News reported. The Egyptian owner of the ship abandoned the crew and ship. CNS Bashir ordered to shift the crew of ship to naval ship on human grounds. Whether the freed men would be brought to Karachi or Gwadar it has not yet been decided, Navy sources said. Earlier, the Captain of MV Suez appealed to the ministry of foreign affairs and the Chief of Pakistan Navy seeking immediate help in view of their vessel being caught in strong winds feared capsizing since its release with 22-member crew of board by the Somalian pirates and series of misfortunes latest among them the break down of the tug towing MV Suez. MV Suez Captain Wasi told Geo News on phone that the weather was threatening due to monsoon and their immediate retrieval may be arranged. The Captain said that no law was more important than saving human lives, "We are in the open sea for last three days; owner of the ship has thus far not sent the fuel." He said that he was in contact with the PNS Babar officials, they could rescue them. He said 72 hours ago at first he had contacted the owner of the ship and now we are 75 miles away from the Salalah port of Oman. He had appealed to the Pakistan authorities for saving their lives. He said strong monsoon winds threatening the ship capsizing. Captain Wasi said leaving our vessel, we have decided to move over to PNS Babar, we have save our lives, wherever the PNS Babar takes us, we would be going.