Happy ending in sight for Ajman stranded seamen

Ajman - Khaleej Times had published a story on the plight of the crewmen and the ongoing standoff between the owner of the ship Rohan Hede - and its crew on September 2.

The 12 seamen of the vessel Happy Success, stranded at the Ajman Freezone port for three months, now see a ray of hope.
After intervention from the Ajman Port Authorities and the Indian Consulate in Dubai, paper work for repatriation of the sailors is currently being processed and it is said that they might return home to India in under a week. Arrangements are being made for the clearance of dues to the crew members and the men are expected to leave the port in batches of four.
Khaleej Times had published a story on the plight of the crewmen and the ongoing standoff between the owner of the ship Rohan Hede - of Hede Ferromina's Pvt Ltd based out of Goa, India - and its crew on September 2. Crew members alleged that they haven't been paid for over six months, and were given limited supply of food and medicines. Hede, however, stated that the men's salaries have only been delayed by three months.
"The paper work to repatriate the men back to India has already begun. The dues have been cleared and the men should leave within a week," Hede informed Khaleej Times.
Senior Pilot Captain Syed Mohammed Abrar and other officials of the Ajman Port Authority visited the crew members on Wednesday. The officials intervened as soon as they heard about the plight of the men. Port officials said they will not accept any kind of human rights violation of any kind of human right.
"We have contacted the ship's owner and the local agent. As for now, we have done everything in our power to see to that the problem is sorted," said Captain Abrar.
Since some of the men had developed deep skin rashes due to heat, the port has arranged for an emergency ambulance to take the crew members to a medical centre for check up and treatment. The men were also given food and other supplies.
Second Officer of Happy Success Sarfaraj Khan said: "We just want to go back home now. We've been stuck here for over three months with no job and very little connection to the outside world... Now we just want to go back."
The vessel's owner and director, Rohan Hede when contacted over the phone said he has cleared agent and port dues and is waiting for the ship's local caretaker Cyrus Shipping Services LLC to issue visas for the men, so that they can exit the country.
However, Cyrus Shipping Services stated that visas can be issued in a day and they are still waiting for funds to arrive from India.
Local representative of the Hede Ferromina's Pvt Ltd, Ali Akbar, said: "I attended a meeting with the Indian Consulate as well as the port officials. We are trying our best to expedite the procedures for exit passes."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

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