Baalu quick to claim credit for ship rescue

Link to Article MUMBAI: After the release of Stolt Valor by pirates, Union shipping minister T R Baalu's office was quick to issue a statement  to point out his interest in the matter. ‘‘Baalu has been personally monitoring the progress on a day-to-day basis to ensure that sufficient efforts were made for the release of the ship. The minister has expressed relief and happiness and conveyed his best wishes for a safe journey home to all crew members. He has also conveyed his best wishes to the family members of the crew who have been suffering through this ordeal,’’ the statement said.  With the sailors’ families and maritime unions holding public rallies calling for a boycott of seafaring in the area, and the Indian navy expressing its interest in chasing down pirates, two navy warships were sent to the danger zone last month. One saved an Indian ship from being boarded by pirates last week.  A naval official said, ‘‘Though we had no direct connection to the Stolt Valor episode, we are keeping a close watch on the waters off Somalia and patrolling the Gulf of Aden to deter pirate attacks on Indian merchant vessels.’’  A Nato fleet of around seven vessels is also in the Gulf of Aden to assist anti-piracy patrols and escort cargo vessels. But according to fresh data from IMB, attacks have increased in the past week, with at least five successful hijackings since last Friday.  Central Marine, the Japanse owners of Stolt Valor, issued a statement saying, ‘‘We would like to thank the government of India, the maritime authorities concerned and associations, the seafarers’ union and above all the hijacked seafarers’ families for being supportive and instilling faith in us.’’