SAARPSCO Responds to Suspicions Surrounding Member Vessel, MYRE SEADIVER

The Russian owned MV Myre Seadiver was detained by the Nigerian Navy over the weekend in Lagos during a crew change, under arms smuggling suspicions.

Ship & Crew Detained by Nigerian Navy Under Arms Smuggling Suspicions

The Nigerian Navy continues to hold the ship and its crew, saying that the Cook Islands -flagged vessel did not have clearance to transit Nigerian waters with arms onboard.

The South Asia & Africa Regional Port Stability Cooperative, of which the vessel’s owner Moran Security Group is a member, released the following statement to The Maritime Executive regarding the vessels detention:

We are an operator of utility vessel “Myre Seadiver” which interacts with Russian merchant fleet in HRA. Our vessel appointed “Blueseas Maritime Services” as an official agent in port Lagos (recommended to us by our Customers) before entrance to EEZ. Certainly we have submitted complete list of documents as per IMO rules & regulations including arms & ammunition list and received confirmation from the agent about authorities’ notification. Also agent confirmed that Nigerian Navy was duly informed about vessel’s arrival.

The vessel was staying on anchorage in port Lagos within 3 weeks implementing bunkering, repair works, crew change, supply of spare parts, provisions. It was proposed that the vessel sails from port Lagos on 21.10.2012. The arms & ammunition were locked under the Master’s control in accordance with the international maritime practice.

The representatives of Nigerian Navy arrived on board on 19.10.2012 and requested to proceed vessel to the Navy base in Lagos. We didn’t receive any official statements from the Nigerian side till yet and at present our crew is available on board.

The Russian Embassy in Lagos is actively involved into this matter from 20.10.2012 and our Embassies offices in Abuja and Lagos are requesting immediate release vessel and crew considering all activities of the Nigerian side as wrongful.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation announced statement on 24.10.2012 strongly denying allegations about any illegal activities of “Myre Seadiver” within territorial waters and exclusive economic zone of Nigeria.

We are very concerned about situation with our seafarers on board and we will continue all possible efforts through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to ensure release vessel and crew.”

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Original Report: Ship & Crew Detained by Nigerian Navy Under Arms Smuggling Suspicions