Ukrainian seafarer killed by Somali pirates - Sailors’ Society aids victim’s family

Ukrainian seafarer killed by Somali pirates - Sailors’ Society aids victim’s family Sailors’ Society Port Chaplain offers comfort and support to Ukrainian seafarer’s loved ones Sailors’ Society Ukrainian Port Chaplain Eduard Myrmyr is supporting the family of Sergey Vartenkov, the seafarer killed by pirates as they took control of the MV Marathon off the Somali coast. The Dutch registered vessel was attacked on May 7 and finally released this week. Crew members were taken hostage and Vartenkov, a welder onboard the ship, was killed as the pirates fired indiscriminately into the hold where they were all imprisoned. Based in Ismael, the same city where 40 year old Vartenkov lived with his wife and three children, Port Chaplain Myrmyr has visited the family and continues to do so. Chaplain Myrmyr has also been asked by the family to assist at the funeral when Sergey’s body is repatriated.to the Ukraine. Sailors’ Society’s Principal Chaplain Revd David Potterton, based in Southampton, has just returned from a working trip to the Ukraine and said: “These are tragic circumstances and our thoughts are with Mr. Vartenkov’s family. Port Chaplain Myrmyr continues to support the family in their grief and I know that they are very grateful for Eduard’s prompt response and comfort. It is customary in the region to offer condolences with a small gift in the case of bereavement and Eduard Myrmyr has done this on behalf of the Sailors’ Society. We are discussing with the family what additional assistance they require. The family were particularly appreciative to the Sailors’ Society as we were the first organisation to react to the tragedy and to offer our condolences and help.” Rev Potterton continues, “Piracy has made news headlines recently, but the actual act of piracy has been growing steadily over the years. It is clear that as well as the isolation and concerns about redundancy, piracy is another, much more threatening, issue. The Sailors’ Society will continue to support and offer assistance to those affected by piracy where possible, but obviously our hope is that we do not have to keep providing bereavement support to victims of piracy.” Somali pirates are currently holding 14 ships, carrying more than 200 seafarers in the region according to the latest figures from the International Maritime Bureau. Ends Words: 325 English-speaking Port Chaplain Myrmyr is available for telephone interviews, please call Debbie Osborne at Logical Creative Marketing 0845 345 6969 for more details. Notes to Editors: The Sailors' Society is an inter-denominational charity which replaces isolation with belonging amongst seafarers throughout the world. Through a network of Port Chaplains and Seafarers’ Centres, operating in 30 countries in almost 100 Ports, the Society aims to enhance and enrich the lives of the 1.2million seafarers who often lead dangerous and lonely lives at sea, many miles from home. The Port Chaplains visit thousands of ships every year, directly addressing the needs of seafarers - irrespective of a person’s belief or nationality. A reassuring presence for both current and retired seafarers and their families, the Society offers practical help, which can be as little as the resource to contact loved ones after months away, to spiritual assistance and counselling in times of need. Port Chaplains focus on improving the quality of seafarers’ lives, as well as maintaining vital links within the Ports that they operate. For more information, please visit www.sailors-society.org, or contact Debbie Osborne at Logical Creative Marketing on: 0845 345 69 69 or email: debbie@lcm.co.uk