Unions want compensation for crew of hijacked ship

A SMALL general cargo ship, Danica White, which arrived in Durban last week, was at the centre of a dispute involving Danish trade unionists, who were ready to go to court to fight for compensation on behalf of three crew members. The ship became world news in June when it was hijacked by Somali pirates and later held for ransom. Eighty days later the ship was released into the custody of a French warship, after a ransom of US$1.5 million (R10.5m) was allegedly paid by the owners to free the ship and crew, a decision that has earned fierce criticism from several circles including the Danish government. Now the union wants adequate compensation paid to the three ordinary seamen serving on the ship (which had a total crew of six). It was en route from Dubai to Tanzania with a cargo of building materials when seized. The union says the ship’s master placed the ship and crew in danger by sailing too close to the coast in waters known to harbour pirates. They want US$1.8m (12.6m) for the three crewmen, for back wages (while they were in the pirates’ custody) and compensation for suffering and trauma to them and their families.