A day after the arrival of MV Golden Wave, the Korean vessel that had 39 Kenyans hijacked by pirates, the police are set to launch investigations into the controversy surrounding the ship, and its position when it was hijacked.

Sources told Xinhua on Wednesday that currently, investigations are conducted in foreign countries, including Korea and China, to establish the registration details of the vessel, amid claims that it was owned by Korea, and at some point, Kenya.

During the five months period the vessel was under captivity by the pirates, it emerged that though it flew a Kenyan flag, it was Korean but had a Kenyan license.

Maritime officials have confirmed that the vessel was unseaworthy, making it easy for pirates to attack it.

It was confirmed that the detectives will arrive in Kenya next week, to conduct investigations over the vessel, as they feel something is not adding up regarding the position, date and time of the vessel's hijacking.

The crew met the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Director General Nancy Karigithu and told their ordeal in the hands of the pirates who mistreated and forced them to hijack other ships.

They also claimed that MV Golden Wave was hijacked since it crossed over to Somalia waters as they had been instructed to get the best fish breeding grounds.

According to the crew members, they are yet to be paid millions of shillings as their dues, and the vessel was not insured.

"We were afraid if anything was to happen, our families would suffer since the agents had not insured the vessel," said Benard Otieno, one of the crew members. "The area we were was rich in fish, but unfortunately, that is Somalia territory."

While as a mothership, which was being used to attack other vessels, MV Golden Wave was involved in five successful hijackings and 17 unsuccessful ones.

The seafarers' programs coordinator, Andrew Mwangura confirmed that during the incidents, five seafarers and two pirates lost their lives.

Karigithu confirmed that she would later meet the crew to get their full information on whether they were paid or not, and on other matters maritime.

She said documents availed indicate that the vessel had Kenyan registration though the Korean government was hesitant over how MV Golden Wave acquired Kenyan registration.

It was clear however that the vessel will not be allowed to sail anytime soon, while the crew was given some time off to be with their families and friends.

It was alleged that the information given by the crew members in regards to the hijack location-Ras Kamboni, off Lamu, is contrary to the vessel monitoring system records.

According to Mwangura, MV Golden Wave, acquired a Kenyan licence but remained a Korean vessel, which was to fish not more than 1,000 nautical miles from Korea.

The vessel agents are said to be broke and wanted in Korea over some debts. MV Golden Wave was hijacked on Oct. 9, with 43 crew on board who included two Koreans and two Chinese.

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