BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 16. Azerbaijan's State
Maritime and Port Agency has issued an appeal to Azerbaijani
seafarers.
In a statement, the agency said it has received with deep sorrow
recent reports of Azerbaijani seafarers losing their lives while
serving aboard vessels sailing under the flags of various countries
in foreign waters.
The agency expressed its condolences, praying for mercy for
those who died and extending its sympathies to their families and
loved ones.
The agency stressed that security risks remain particularly high
in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov basin, as well as in the Strait of
Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, urging Azerbaijani seafarers to place
their lives and health above all else.
According to the statement, seafarers should carefully assess
existing risks before agreeing to voyages to war zones or areas
where active military operations are taking place. They should also
take into account security warnings and guidance issued by official
authorities and, whenever possible, avoid such voyages
altogether.
The agency also called on shipping companies and relevant
organizations to prioritize the safety and well-being of seafarers,
implement all necessary safety measures when sending crews to
high-risk areas, and avoid such routes whenever feasible.
The agency urged all seafarers to remain vigilant, prioritize
their own safety and that of their families, and stay away from war
zones.
