The pirates had a single negotiator who would talk to the ship's owners and then inform the ship's captain about the progress. The captain would then inform the crew about it, the sailors said.

The crew were sometimes allowed to make brief phone calls to their families which were often emotional, Alistair said.

"I used to cry sometimes when I spoke to my family. They would tell me that they were praying for me and I should do the same," he said.

Burondkar said the pirates were constantly in touch with each other regarding other hijacked ships and there also seemed to be rivalries between the different pirate groups.

All three sailors said they presently have no plans to stop sailing and would take a break prior to returning to the seas again.

"I would want to take a break of six to seven months after which I would want to start sailing again. I am the only member of my family in this business," Isidore said.

"These things don't happen only on sea but also on land where you have terrorism. What has happened was a nightmare and I will go sailing again," Burondkar said.

The sailors added that crew of other vessels like MV Delight, which has been hijacked by Somali pirates with seven Indians on board, should not lose hope.

"The sailors should keep hope that they will see their families one day. While we were being held hostage we would mutually encourage each other not to lose hope," Burondkar said.

... contd.