As many as 18 Indian seamen have been living in deplorable conditions for over six months after being stranded on a gas tanker off the coast of Fujairah
As many as 18 Indian seamen have been living in deplorable conditions for over six months after being stranded on a gas tanker off the coast of Fujairah. After months of distress calls and repeated tweets to authorities – both in India and the UAE – the Fujairah Port and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have swung into action to bring them succor. Two sailors are soon to be repatriated, while one ailing crew member has already been sent home. The remaining 15 crew members will continue to be on board the disputed vessel. The crew on the disputed LPG tanker Maharshi Vamadeva, an Indian vessel, has not been paid their wages since February this year. Few miles off the coast of Fujairah, the members have been living off charitable supplies provided by the Fujairah Port harbour master, port authorities and donations from other ships. “One crew member, Jitendra Kumar Pandey (44) – an electrical officer – was repatriated as he suffered a heart attack on board in May this year. After receiving care from the Fujairah Port Medical Centre, he was sent back home to India,” the ship’s second officer, Vishwa Gupta, told Khaleej Times. Speaking from the port clinic, Gupta said: “Sailor Mohit Pal and I are currently in the port clinic, and we will return home in a couple of days.”
