In Lorient, about twenty Russian and Ukrainian sailors learned that their countries were at war, when they landed in the commercial port, when they had access to the internet. The Pola Ariake cargo ship, which belongs to a Russian company, arrived from Ukraine overnight from Sunday to Monday. He was then detained by customs as part of the economic sanctions imposed on Russia. Emmanuelle Trocadéro, the director of Marin’Accueil which manages the Seamen’s club, was able to board this Thursday, March 3, 2022, to distribute SIM cards and speak with the captain and some sailors.
“They learned about the war when they arrived at the port” – Emmanuelle Trocadéro
“The Russian commander sent one of the sailors to get a Sim card. He inserted it and that’s how he learned about the war, the bombings, the shooting at their house. He was as white as a laundry, testifies Emmanuelle Trocadero, the crew will have to avoid tensions in a very restricted space. On board, Russians and Ukrainians work together in the passageways and the engine room. They are colleagues, friends and the political situation is beyond them”.
No further information
The cargo, 27,000 tonnes of soybean meal, should be unloaded on Friday 4 March. Customs informed the master of the immobilization of the freighter. The crew, made up equally of Ukrainian and Russian sailors, has no information on its future.