Warring parties launch dialogue to settle row over OSM Arena; solution likely in next 10 days

Fresh crew to man the arrested South Korean vessel

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The abandoned and arrested South Korean cargo vessel OSM Arena is likely to get fresh crew on Thursday, according to port officials.

The owners have sent two crew onboard Wednesday and we will get another 12 by Thursday, said port sources.

It is also believed that talks are on between Kolkata based company LMJ International and South Korean Shinhan Bank to settle the dispute over the vessel. “We are hoping to get something in writing within next 10 days,” said a port official.

Meanwhile, Ye Thi Ha captain of the crew that abandoned the ship said the vessel is not seaworthy and could sink during the rough weather.

Ye Thi Ha along with his 13-member crew told Express on Wednesday that the ship’s two lifeboats were defunct and the five life raft expired since 2010.

He said the base of sea chest in engine room was leaking and there was an immediate need to repair it. There was also water inside the cargo hold, he said.

The captain, who is among the three crew members, who could understand English said the ship is under threat and would not last during the bad weather.

Interestingly, the crew was to leave the ship on April 5 after their agent SH Shipping in Yangoon brought air tickets. But since they did not get relievers, the port officials refused to allow them to fly back to Yangoon.

Ye Thi Ha says that after April 5, the supplies stopped. There was no food and water. “We were living on dry food … noodles without water. The crew were uncontrollable as they feared for their lives. We also ran out of diesel and the ship’s generator blanked out,” said Ye Thi Ha.

“The biggest issue was that we could not establish the contact with the South Korean owner Shinhan Bank, to whom the earlier South Korean owner mortgaged the vessel,” said the captain.

“After all our efforts to contact the owner failed. I reached ashore using a fishing bot and met I International Transport Workers' Federation. It was on 1.42 pm I asked the crew to abandon the ship,” says Ye Thi Ha, who has a total sailing experience of nine years.

Interestingly, the crew had relieved the earlier crew two months ago and were promised salary and supplies by Korean agent Inter Ocean who is managing the vessel on behalf of the bank and SH Shipping of Yangoon. “I am being paid a salary of $7,000 and we do expect the salary will be paid on time,” he said.

Interestingly, the crew wants to go back to Yangoon as soon as possible and are also in touch with the embassy. “The embassy officials assured us help,” he added.