Iran provides update on the two seized Greek tankers
Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization confirms that the crews of the two captured Greek tankers are in good physical and mental health and cites proper coordination.
The Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), which is in charge of ensuring Iran's maritime sovereignty, said in a statement that the crews of the two captured Greek tankers are in good physical and mental health and that phone calls with their families are being scheduled and facilitated.
Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO)’s statement is as follows:
Following the statement of the Farhang Abhaye Aram Shipping Agency Co. as the official representative of P&I and the owners of the two Greek tankers that they had received numerous messages from the owners and their P&I clubs expressing concern about the condition of the crew aboard Delta Poseidon and Prudent Warrior tankers, and after the required coordination by the Ports and Maritime Organization, the Deputy of Maritime Affairs of Hormuzgan Province Ports and Maritime met with the captains onboard the tankers, the result of which is as follows:
In this meeting, the captains of both ships confirmed that all crew members are mentally and physically well, that the military forces had acted toward them appropriately, and that no complaints had been reported. Also, in order to facilitate the telephone communication of the ship's crew with their families, it was decided that the ships’ representative would provide SIM cards and mobile phones to them.
The captains of the two ships also requested food, water, and other consumables, as well as the coordination required for rubbish delivery from the ship to land.
Footage released by #Iranian media documenting the moment #Iran's Coast Guard seized two #Greek oil tankers. pic.twitter.com/iulItdmMF3
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Also, due to the presence of crew on board ships for a long time, the question of changing the amount of crew was raised with the ships' captains, and it was decided that the required coordination should be done in this respect if the owners agreed.
Given that the tankers in question were transporting oil derivatives, the PMO official gave the tankers' captains the requisite safety and pollution prevention instructions.
Considering the importance and sensitivity of the region, which is designated as a Special Environmental Zone by the International Maritime Organization and the MARPOL Convention, the captains of the ships were given recommendations to prevent pollution and maintain the safety of the crew and the ship.
As per the captains' request and in accordance with international norms and standards, it was determined that the required action be taken to enable the ship's crew's execution of international requirements, including recording the ship's happenings.
A phone call was also organized between the captains, the ships' representatives, and the shipowners' headquarters in Greece, during which the shipowners instructed the captains on how to maintain the cargo.