Working Conditions Aboard the Eternity-C

In a recent turn of events, government officials in the Philippines have urgently appealed for international assistance following the emergence of a video featuring crew members from the 'Eternity C' as they were paraded and interviewed by the Houthis. The ship's management company, Cosmoship Management, reacted swiftly, urging all relevant parties to facilitate the safe repatriation of the crew currently held in Yemen. According to the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers, nine of the individuals showcased in the video are confirmed to be Filipino seafarers. Family members reported that the men are in stable condition and have received necessary medical treatment. The department is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and international agencies to secure the crew's safe return. Cosmoship Management expressed profound relief at seeing the crew's images and reiterated its calls for collaborative efforts to reunite the crew members with their families. The company reported a total of 11 individuals, including 10 crew members and one security guard, who are now in the custody of the Houthis. In a statement, the Houthis claimed they had 'rescued' these individuals from the sea during a two-day operation, while also acknowledging that two crew members sustained injuries and were receiving medical attention. The shocking video displayed a Russian electrician recovering in bed, reportedly after losing his leg in the incident, and showed one of the Filipino crew members bandaged. Interestingly, the Houthis depicted only 10 individuals, despite claiming to have 11 in total. Their report also mentioned that they discovered a deceased person at the site of the sunken vessel, which was then transferred to a hospital morgue. Cosmoship Management later confirmed that two seafarers lost their lives during the attack, with two others now unaccounted for and feared dead. Within the video, the crew reported being informed that their vessel was en route to Eilat for a fertilizer loading. The Houthis issued threats against similar vessels heading to Israel, using the captured crew as a warning to others. This urgent situation underscores the need for immediate diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety of those affected.

On July 28, 2023, Houthi militants announced their purported rescue of 10 crew members from the 'Eternity C', a vessel that has become central to ongoing maritime tensions. Accompanying this announcement was a six-minute video, heavily scripted and showcasing the seafarers as they expressed that they were safe and unharmed. The footage featured the sailors stating they were unaware of the maritime restrictions imposed by the Houthis on vessels heading to Israeli ports. In a troubling display, one crew member was filmed contacting his family via mobile phone, while others recorded testimonials, thanking their captors for their treatment and expressing remorse for the situation in Palestine. Under apparent duress, the seafarers claimed to be heading to Eilat; however, this account has been contested by the ship's owner. During the Houthi takeover, the 'Eternity C' had 22 crew members aboard, accompanied by three security guards. Following the attack, 10 crew members were successfully rescued through a privately funded operation led by the vessel's owner, while five were feared dead, and the remaining were held captive by the Houthis. Subsequently, both the United States and Human Rights Watch (HRW) voiced strong objections against the actions of the Houthis. HRW labeled the group's actions as “unlawful detention of civilians,” while U.S. officials accused them of “kidnapping” the seafarers, invoking concerns regarding violations of international law. For further details, photos, and video footage, visit the following links: https://splash247.com/houthis-parade-captive-crew-from-sunken-greek-ship-in-propaganda-video/ https://x.com/i/status/1949911917285249526

In light of the recent assault on the 'Eternity C', owned by Cosmo Shipmanagement and based in Athens, Greece has taken proactive measures by dispatching the offshore tug 'Giant' (IMO: 9255907) to the Red Sea. This deployment was orchestrated by the Hellenic Association of Towboat Owners in collaboration with Greece's Ministry of Maritime Affairs in Athens. The mission aims to enhance maritime safety and provide support in the wake of potential attacks and maritime incidents. Equipped with advanced technology and a seasoned crew of 14 Greek sailors, the 'Giant' features four powerful 16,000 hp engines, enabling it to operate in challenging weather conditions. With an IACS navigator onboard, the tug is adept at various emergency responses, including assisting ships in distress and combating marine pollution while prioritizing human safety. Notably, the 'Giant' possesses firefighting capabilities classified at Level 2, allowing it to discharge 7,200 cubic meters of water per hour over a distance of 200 meters. The vessel boasts self-protection systems, designated rescue zones, and accommodations for up to 40 individuals, ensuring that both a rescue team and survivors can be safely managed. The tug is also equipped with a hospital facility and has the capacity to provide electrical support to distressed vessels. Furthermore, it supports salvage operations and contains provisions for helicopter operations (using winches only), alongside storage for essential rescue gear. According to Vassilis Kikilias, Greece's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the 'Giant' is set to bolster efforts in safeguarding Greek-owned vessels and their crews. The Ministry emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in these initiatives to ensure maritime security and environmental protection in the region.

On July 17, a Russian sailor from the 'Eternity C' was reported to be undergoing medical treatment in Yemen, according to Russia's state news agency RIA. The sailor, identified as Aleksei Galaktionov, was one of the crew rescued by the Yemeni Navy after the vessel sank. Galaktionov suffered injuries during the incident but is now said to be in significantly better health. In total, 10 individuals—including eight crew members and two security personnel—were successfully rescued and transported to Saudi Arabia. Notably, the crew consisted mainly of Filipino seamen, with Galaktionov being the sole Russian onboard.

On the evening of July 16, eight Filipino crew members from the ill-fated ship 'Eternity C' returned home, arriving via flight SV870 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City. These seafarers, now back on Philippine soil, are set to receive a variety of support services, including financial assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) through the Aksyon Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Emergency Repatriation Fund. Additionally, they will receive medical care from the Department of Health and infrastructural assistance from New NAIA Infra Corp., under the aegis of the Department of Transportation. To ensure a seamless reintegration into their communities, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, alongside members of the National Reintegration Network, will provide comprehensive support aimed at facilitating a smooth transition for the returning sailors. It is important to note that the DMW is currently investigating reports regarding three of the 13 missing Filipino seafarers, with some claims suggesting that they may have been killed, while others indicate that they could be held hostage by Houthi terrorists. For further details, you can view the complete report with accompanying photo here: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/8-filipino-crew-of-sunken-houthi-hit-ship-back-home.