After an extremely difficult period for the families that lasted more than 19 days, it is with great relief that the crisis management team of Jan De Nul Group confirms the release and good health of the 2 crewmembers of the trailing suction hopper dredger Amerigo Vespucci.
The two crewmembers were kidnapped on 12 September 2010 by an armed gang from the trailing hopper dredger Amerigo Vespucci near the port of Douala in Cameroon. After days of negotiation, the 2 crewmembers, the Croat Klaudio and the Filipino Wilson were finally released safe and sound in Cameroon on 30 September 2010. Thanks to the efforts of the Jan De Nul Group crisis team, also the 4 Ukranians, who were kidnapped on the same night from another ship, have been released.
Thanks to the close collaboration with the Cameroon and Luxembourg authorities this kidnapping came to a positive ending. Also there has been close consultation with other authorities involved, namely the Belgian, Croatian, Philippine and Ukrainian authorities.
At their release the crisis management team of Jan De Nul Group and the Cameroon and Philippine authorities were present in Cameroon to welcome the crewmembers. Both men have already talked to their family and are at this moment on the way to the airplane that will bring them home and reunite them with their relatives.
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Source: Jan De Nul