The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme ("MPHRP") is a pan-industry alliance of ship owners, maritime unions, managers, manning agents, insurers and welfare associations working together with one aim, namely -:

"to assist seafarers and their families with the humanitarian aspects of a traumatic incident caused by a piracy attack, armed robbery or being taken hostage"

Roy Paul the Programme Director has reacted to the press release on Reuters and other media yesterday about the sinking of the pirate held ship mv. Albedo. The story Reuters story covered an interview with an alleged Pirate leader.

Roy said, "The article was full of errors and no one stopped to do simple research and even basic maths before publication. They claimed the Captain had been killed when in fact he left the vessel over a year ago when the Pakistan crew were released. 13 missing and 4 dead makes 17 out of a crew of 15. To date there are no confirmed deaths but of course the seafarers family members are very concerned. The irresponsible reporting of the situation and the repetition by other news and media has caused unnecessary additional worries to the family members with at least one family member being hospitalised with shock. The families suffer enough and MPHRP is supporting them through their local contacts and maritime partners".

MPHRP is working closely with many agencies involved in this area across the industry and its regional directors and welfare agencies are on supporting the families.

We are in touch with those in the area and especially the UN Hostage Release programme.

More details from roypaul@mphrp.org

The MPHRP website is at www.mphrp.org