The military associations representing the non-commissioned officers and enlisted seamen aboard the beleaguered NRP Mondego, which had to be towed to the port of Caniçal this morning, after its electrical generators failed have spoken out.
Speaking to Lusa, the President of the Association of Seamen, Corporal General Paulo Amaral, categorically stated that the technical issues affecting the ship which forced it to abort its mission on the 11th of March were still affecting the ship this morning, thus proving that things were ‘not going well’ for the vessel.
“With several aborted attempts to leave Funchal harbour and the embarrassing rescue this morning, we can confirm that the conditions onboard the ship show that it is incapable of serving or sailing at all, let alone serving as a deterrent or surveillance vessel.”
He went on to say that the men who are being tried for insubordination were right in their actions, and submitted in a respectful way to their commander that the ship was unfit for duty.
It will be interesting to see what the Admiral has to say!
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
