Desperate plea from Crew of' second ship owned by Pratibha Shipping Co

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Now it is another SOS literally from the second ship of Pratibha Shipping Company, that owned the tragedy-struck M T Pratibha Cauvery, as the crew is running out of food and water.

 The crew of the stranded ship M T Pratibha Varna, has food and water for only three days and sought the help of port authorities to provide them with supplies.

Port officials told Express on Saturday that the crew has written a letter signed by them to Director General Shipping and Chennai Port Trust chairman seeking food and water.

Interestingly, this comes in the wake of the death of six crew members of chemical tanker Pratibha Cauvery, who tried to swim ashore after their vessel was grounded just before Cyclone Nilam struck Chennai Coast.

Port officials said the crew of the Japanese built ship, which has dropped anchor near Chennai 20 days ago, has also complained that they have not been paid wages for five months. The ship is loaded with oil and was to discharge oil at Chennai Port.

“We have also informed the owner’s representative here who has passed on the message to the owner Sunil Pawar to provide them with food and water,” he said.  "The owner said they will take immediate action," he added.

Interestingly, the ship has the similar tale of distress to what the crew of Pratibha Cauvery endured. The crew in Pratibha Cauvery also ran out of provisions and had to store rainwater for drinking. The shipping management also did not pay the salary for the last five months. Interestingly, Pratibha Varna is 24 year old as compared to Pratibha Cauvery, which was 31 year old.

 

Meanwhile, it is expected that Pratibha Cauvery will be salvaged on Monday. Port sources said Pratibha Shipping Company has signed Lloyds Open Form, an agreement for salvage with SMIT, a Singapore based firm which has expertise in salvaging operation.

The six salvagers are expected to use Malviya 21, a 133 tonne Bollard Pull to tow the vessel. It will be sailing tonight. Port sources also said that they have not received any court order on detaining the ship.