Crew members express relief, narrate ordeal

Monday, November 24, 2008 at 11:11 am

As the crew members of theKtoday (Nov 24), their families received them with utmost joy and relief at the Mumbai international airport. Not only the families, but the members themselves showcased relief, however, were yet caught in the shock of the 2 month ordeal.

On returning back home, Allister Fernandes, crew member expressed relief and said, “I’m feeling better, much better. I’m feeling better to go home. I’ve still not reached home. I have to go to go home. I’m feeling very good that I’m going to my family. I’m going to meet them after 14 months.”

Another member of the Japanese owned cargo vessel, Santosh Patil narrated the experience and said, “We were going through hell. However, I would like to thank the media for supporting us and standing by our side all throughout. There were issues like shortage of water and food. But we managed ourselves. We were always kept at gunpoint and were not allowed to do anything. With the grace of God we survived.”

Earlier, before boaring their flight back to Mumbai, couple of crew members were entangled with mixed emotions.

Ullas Krishna, Second Officer said, “As of now we are all safe as you can see everybody. But if you ask how we are feeling now, it is just beyond words. If you say we are happy its not right, if you say we are excited that too is not right. I know none of us will be able to explain what they are going through now. It was a big ordeal for everybody, but also a nightmare for every single crew member of the Stolt Valor. Everyday there was some other drama happening on the ship daily. But we thank God and everybody who has contributed in a small way to save us from such a situation.”

However, the officer did not let this entire experience shut the doors to his love for sailing, as he said, “Of course I will sail again.”

(Listen to Ullas Krishna)

“The world there and the world here is very different. Everyday some drama would happen. They did not trouble us physically and whatever ordeal we faced was mental. Everyone was tensed all through and we were held on the bridge. We did all our routines on the bridge itself. Even if we wanted to visit the crew, a pirate would follow us with the gun. You could just not do anything there,” added Naveed Burandkar, cadet on board Stolt Valor.

(Listen to Naveed Burandkar)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

Crew members express relief, narrate ordeal

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