ODESA, MAY 21st, 2013, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE ― Sailors from M/V Dune have come back to Odesa after being arrested in Libya, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

“Asol” Seamen Relief Fund Charitable Organization reported today, 21 May.

According to the information, this story for Ukrainian sailors began in February this year. In the port of Kerch an international crew, of the M/V Dune, 9 Ukrainians including the residents of Odesa and Odesa region, and 3 citizens of Azerbaijan started their duties. They signed a contract under which the Turkish ship owner was committed to ensure sailors work, salary and everything they need for work. With a cargo of grain they went to Libya. Near the coast of Libya Dune the vessel got into a violent storm. Part of the cargo was damaged. When unloading grain at the port of Benghazi, the host required to pay compensation for wet cargo. The ship owner refused to fulfil the demand, referring to the insurance company. After it turned out that the ship has not insurance. The government of Libya has decided to arrest the ship, it was surrounded by armed soldiers. Twelve crew members were under the hatches on the arrested ship without the right to come down on the earth under pain of death.

The crew anyhow managed to contact the Ukrainian Embassy. The diplomats addressed to the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Libya. Consul of Ukraine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the head of Libya's Benghazi port visited the ship for the negotiations, which lasted four days. It was decided to release the crew, as only the ship was under arrest. Diplomatic Services of Ukraine provided the sailors plane tickets and a safe return home,” the representatives of the organization noted.