Indian minister offers help to 41 sailors stranded in UAE

Dubai - Dubai Indian consulate has been asked to solve the problems of the sailors

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday offered help to resolve a case of 41 Indian sailors stranded in Ajman anchorage.

The case was highlighted with the tweet of Anoop Pathak, a seafarer stranded onboard one of the four ships, MV Salem, on January 5. He sought help from the Prime Minister of India, External Affairs Minister and other senior officials. He wrote the ship had many holes and water was getting in to the ship. He said their company was not taking any action and they needed help.

Dubai Indian consulate has been asked to solve the problems of the sailors, said sources. They said two of the ships are in danger of sinking.

Families of the stranded sailors, who hail from different Indian states, also sought help from the Indian government.

There are four ships with 41 Indian crew members on board in the Ajman anchorage, 5 nautical miles (15 km) away from the port.

When we reached Anoop, captain on the ship M V Salem, over the phone he told Khaleej Times he was not getting salary for the last 10 months. "In fact, there are crew members who are here for last 18 months and got paid only for three months till now. We are supplied with very less food and water on the ship and it became worst when they stopped supplying enough fuel. Because of the holes in the ship, water started to flow in. We are scared and tried getting help from the company but nothing happened. We were told to complain only if anyone dies on board.

"Last time we were provided diesel on October 10. Because of the dearth of fuel, we could not pump out water from the ship. Now, we have to drain the water with our hands or by using buckets. We hope our government will interfere and try to resolve this issue as soon as possible," he said.

Ananya Pratap Singh, captain of another vessel, Rock, also had similar complaints. "My ship has nine holes and with the help of some rubber, we tried stopping the water inflow but still it comes in. Whenever we call our owner, he refuses to help and had threatened to file a case against us."

Rajesh G., captain of another ship, told Khaleej Times that they are experiencing severe shortage of drinking water. "We are seeking help for the last 15 months and we are surviving on minimum food."

Meanwhile, Abbas Faleh Salim, owner of the company Shat Al Arab Marine, said: "These people are lying and I am following legal procedure to resolve this case. I am going to meet officials at the Indian embassy. Also, the reason I kept their passports with me is that an Indian crew had stolen my two vessels earlier." He also shared a letter in Arabic to support his claims.

President of India People's Forum Girsh Pant said he went to the Ajman port on Friday to find out if the sailors are safe. "I spoke to the port authorities in Ajman and found they are safe. I will coordinate with the officials now to sort out their problems."

The problem of stranded sailors is handled by a special committee created for the purpose at the Indian consulate. Resolving the issue needs the involvement of many parties including the port authorities, owner of the ship - who is often outside the country - and Indian missions.

A social worker said the problems are aggravated when the sailors of a stranded ship do not have valid entry permit to enter the UAE. "Food, water and diesel for maintaining generators have to be supplied in boats."

ankita@khaleejtimes.com

(with reports from VM Sathish)

• Dubai