Vessel operator Swire Pacific Offshore (SPO) has confirmed its workers have been released after a month-long abduction ordeal.
The seven crew of the Pacific Warden vessel – who were attacked and kidnapped on November 20 while working in Equatorial Guinea – were all released yesterday and returned to family.
The crew members were held in captivity for 31 days in total.
SPO said that immediate medical checks were made and that “all have now returned to their home countries and their loved ones”.
Peter Langslow, SPO managing director, said: “I would like to recognise our crew members and their families for the extraordinary courage, resilience and patience they demonstrated throughout this ordeal.
“We are relieved that it has been possible for the crew to be reunited with their families in time for the Christmas and year-end holidays, and SPO will continue to provide them with our full support in recovering from the trauma of the event.”
Singapore-headquartered Swire, who also has a base in Aberdeen, confirmed last month that 15 crew were on board and that seven staff had been taken by attackers.
The eight staff who were not kidnapped were left unharmed.
SPO said it was “grateful to the relevant authorities and other parties that assisted during the incident”.
It added that for reasons of confidentiality and safety, it would not be commenting further.