Ukrainian Danube Navigation says its vessel was robbed in Romania

Ukrainian Danube Navigation says its vessel was robbed in Romania

Interfax-Ukraine
OJSC Ukrainian Danube Navigation (Izmail, Odesa region) has reported the robbery of one of its vessels on the territory of Romania, according to a company press release.

"The Zirkovy ship, with three sections loaded with metal and two with grain, which was traveling towards Constanta, was robbed at 1800 on September 23," the document reads.

According to the press release, the ship was anchored at the outer port of the Adzhidzha lock waiting to undergo checks and then return to the lock. At this time, several cars approached the ship, some unknown persons came out of the cars and started to manually unload scrap metal from the sections, move it to shore, and load it into the cars. The captain attempted to stop the robbers but failed.

"While we were trying to contact the police, the captain managed to take the ship stern from the shore. Then the robbers started jumping from the ship, which allowed it to head from the shore," the press release reads.

According to the press release, during the attack, the unknown persons unloaded about five tonnes of scrap metal. Two tonnes of cargo were left on the shore, and afterwards crewmembers returned it to the ship.

"A police officer came in 30 minutes. He refused to accept a statement as the wages of police officers have been cut and nobody would work after 1800," the document reads.

According to the Ukrainian Danube Navigation, the agent on behalf of the captain sent statements on the incident to the police.

The company management also informed the Embassy of Ukraine in Romania, the Transport and Communications Ministry of Ukraine on the incident and prepared an appeal to the Danube Commission.

"Currently the damages to our company by Romanian citizens and the inaction of Romanian authorities are being estimated," reads the press release.

Read more: http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/83996/#ixzz10oiLXudg

Source: Kyiv Post