FSUI urges govt to expedite release of crew held in Iran, US
22 Indian seafarers await rescue in the US following a ship crash, while 16 others are detained by Iranian authorities
Visakhapatnam: Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), an affiliated unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs under the Government of India to immediately plunge into action to rescue the 22 seafarers of the Ship MV Dali from the USA and 16 seafarers deployed in the Ship MSC Aries from the custody of Iran.
On March 26 the neopanamax container ship MV Dali lost its power and crashed into Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River of Baltimore in the USA. The vessel along with its 22 crew members onboard are now facing the enquiry from the time of incident.
Union national vice-president T Narendra Rao told Bizz Buzz that as per the sources from the crew members, the Federal Bureau is opening the criminal probe with Indian crews.
“It is extremely shocking for the crew members and their family. For the reason of momentarily lost its power and collided with bridge, it is purely an accident beyond the control of manpower,” he stated. Rao said it cannot be considered as an intentional or criminal offence on the part ship crews. It is learned that the vessel lost its propulsion, rendering it unable to maneuver. He said Maryland Governor Wes Moore also emphasised the significance of the ship’s distress call that helped the authorities in preventing more vehicular traffic over the bridge. Similarly on April 13 the Israel linked ship MSC Aries was seized by Iran near the Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman with 18 Indian seafarers onboard who are now facing threat to their lives and they could not contact their family members. Rao, a prominent leader of port workers said despite the crew members who have made a request to allow to use their phones and laptops, they were refused to do so. They were all under the custody of Iranian Authority and not allowed to use any kinds of communication.
The union leaders said it is well-known, that the ongoing tussle between Israel and Palestine which has created immense obstructions to the sea routes at the Red Sea, which is also a big threat for international maritime industry.
This union is worried about their safety as tensions in the region seem to be further escalating. Out of the 18 ship crew in the vessel 17 are Indians including four from Tamil Nadu.
This union also thanked the Government of India for its intervention in rescuing one of the female seafarer Ann Tessa Joseph, a resident of Thrissur immediately after the hijacking.
