What Crew Members Say About Vemahope

In a sigh of relief for families and friends, nine Georgian sailors aboard the tanker 'Vemahope' have been released after being held hostage by pirates since April 30. The crew members are now en route back home, signaling an end to a harrowing ordeal. Fortunately, additional crew members, including four Georgians, were safe onboard the vessel during the incident. After spending 21 days in captivity, the freed sailors are reported to be in good health and are currently receiving standard medical care in Nigeria. Efforts are underway to arrange a special flight to transport them back to Georgia, marking a hopeful return for the brave crew members.

In a troubling incident on April 30, 2020, the oil tanker 'Vemahope' fell victim to a pirate attack while traversing the Gulf of Guinea, approximately 175 miles south of Lagos. At around 7:30 PM local time, the vessel, which was making its way from Lome to Cameroon, was boarded by armed assailants who subsequently kidnapped 10 crew members. Following the boarding, the vessel drifted northward. The Nigerian-flagged support vessel 'SVS Avery' was en route to assist the distressed tanker on May 1, highlighting the ongoing maritime security challenges in this region.