C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The family of the new captain of Pratibha
Cauvery has alleged that he is being held along with 11 crew members in an
unseaworthy ship against their will.
Paritosnath, retired commnader of
Indian Navy and brother-in-law of Capt Rath and Rath’s sister Joyce said that
the captain and 11 crew, who were freshly sent from Mumbai on November 20, 2012 by the owner Sunil Pawar were
not willing to work on the unsafe and unseaworthy vessel.
The letter which also sought the
assistance of Sailor’s Helpline said that
the crew is in no way connected with the on-going court proceedings or police
investigation against the owner or agents of MT Pratibha Cauvery.
Capt Rath boarded the vessel on November
21 on a three-hour pass to check the sea worthiness of the vessel. He has
not signed on or been handed charge by the Salvage Team who suddenly
disembarked the vessel.
The condition of the vessel is not
sea worthy and Capt Rath has requested the owner to remove him from
the vessel. The 11 crew members are also not willing to work on this unsafe and
unseaworthy vessel.
The security armed guards
are not allowing him or any person to leave the vessel nor visitors are
permitted on the ship. The crew are held against their will and being
treated like criminals, the family members allege.
The owner Sunil Pawar, who is in
Chennai, is also not responding to Capt Rath's calls. The
company agent is also not responding.
“There is no legal justification to
hold Capt Rath and 11 crew members in detention on board against their
will by armed security guards in gross violation of all laws and constitutional
rights,” the letter said.
There is not adequate
food, water and fuel on board. Food and drinking water comes through
goodwill or charity.
At present there no
communication system on board and Capt Rath has to rely on his
personal mobile phone which will also run out of battery charge. He is not in a
position to receive or send out any e-mail as the only personal laptop which
was used last night has packed up.
Rath’s sister and his brother requested
that the Harbour Master organise for the crew's outward
immigration so that they can be released from the vessel and return by
flight to Mumbai. They should also be compensated for the time served on the
vessel and the mental and physical hardship suffered by them.
National coordinator of Sailor’s
Helpline Manoj Joy said they have not done any crime. “Why should they be held
in detention. What crime have they done. The port is breaching the rights of
the seafarers. A cook who has fallen ill was accompanied by CISF jawans. Why do
you need armed guard to guard the ship,” he questioned.
Current
status of the ship:
Main Engine
is still immobilized and not able to use her own power.
It does not
have anchor power as windlass not taking load.
Manning is not
as per safe manning scale.
No senior
engineer on board.
No
sufficient fuel for Aux Engine.
No lube oils
or hydraulic Oils for essential Machinery.
Life Saving
Appliances not as per Solas. No
sufficient Life Jackets on board. Only
one Life boat and Life raft on board.
Communication
system not operational. (GMDSS)
No
provisions, drinking water onboard.
Limited
fresh water onboard
No comments:
Post a Comment