It is with deep sorrow that we report the tragic death of Captain Samad Nasrullayev, who was killed in a drone attack on July 14 near the coast of Odesa, Ukraine, while aboard the civilian merchant vessel Atlas Bey, owned by the Turkish company Okean Maritime. Recent attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the Black Sea basin have reached a critical level.
According to sea-news.az attacks on civilian merchant vessels constitute a gross violation of international law. Seafarers are not parties to war; they are civilians who ensure global trade and the transportation of humanitarian aid. These attacks, which deliberately endanger the lives of seafarers in defiance of the provisions of UNCLOS, SOLAS, and the Geneva Conventions, are crimes against humanity.
The fact that at least four Azerbaijani seafarers have been killed and several others injured in the last two months demonstrates the severity and danger of the situation.
As the “Support for Azerbaijani Seafarers” Public Union, we issue a serious warning to our fellow seafarers and their families: Regrettably, some shipping companies are attempting to attract seafarers to high-risk war zones with promises of high salaries. Remember that no financial gain is more valuable than a human life.
- Warning: Considering the frequent and repeated attacks in the Black Sea and other high-risk areas, we urge our colleagues to refrain from working on vessels located in these territories.
- Call to Action: We invite the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and relevant authorities to take urgent and decisive steps to ensure the safety of civilian merchant vessels.
A seafarer is not a party to war. Their sole purpose is to earn an honest living for their family. The bitter loss of Captain Samad Nasrullayev reminds us once again that the life of a seafarer is paramount.
May God have mercy on our late captain.
“Support for Azerbaijani Seafarers” Public Union
