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The returning sailors were accompanied by representatives of the Strong Ukraine Party initiative group and the "Asol Seamen Relief Fund." Six sailors of the stricken St. Sophia ship, which had been at a remote roadstead at Port Said in the Read Sea since May 5, 2010, have returned to Ukraine.

At 1452 on Saturday, the plane with the crewmembers landed in Odesa, according to the press service of the Strong Ukraine Party.

The sailors were accompanied by representatives of the Strong Ukraine Party initiative group and the "Asol Seamen Relief Fund" Charitable Organization, which organized their return home.

The seamen's health condition is satisfactory, said head of Strong Ukraine branch in Odesa region Svitlana Fabrykant. "We need not to worry for their lives, but they will need a lot of time to improve their health and spirits," she said.

As reported, the St. Sophia had been at a remote roadstead at Port Said near the Suez Canal since May 5, 2010. The port authorities had not allowed the ship to enter the port for repairs, or to take on supplies of drinking water and food, because the company operating the vessel owed it debts. The inspection by the Suez Canal claimed the ship is not seaworthy and is in a critical state through the fault of the operator company and ship owner.