MARGAO: As thousands of seafarers remain stranded on ships and in hotels across the world, the seafarers are expecting the government to rise up to the situation and reveal a concrete plan for their return.
Fatigue and mental stress is setting in on all the seafarers and their families back home as the matters due to the COVID-19 outbreak are escalating faster than all thought. Embassies around the world have been urged to be proactive to help the repatriation.
As the Government was in discussion with the Centre to arrange repatriation for the seafarers of Goa and India as well, a couple of attempts that were made by Cruise line companies have failed due to escalating situations and lockdowns across the world. News is that Indians are among the very few seafarers who have still not been repatriated. Countries like Philippines and Indonesia have immediately taken steps and repatriated all their seafarers.
According to a latest update, 299 Indians will reach Bali on a ship and the Indian Government reportedly will start preparation for their pick up by flight from Bali and arrange a quarantine centre.
The Mediterranean Shipping company alone has over 1960 Indian seamen and is waiting to disembark them after short closing the contracts of most of the staff. Royal Caribbean has 4787 Indians. Others are also stuck in hotels in Durban and other countries.
Founder President of the Goa Seamen Association of India Dixon Vaz has updated that Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and the NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar have discussed the matter of repatriation of seafarers back to Goa, India and also told that the External Affairs Ministry Authorities have called on him for providing inputs.
“Major cruise liners have expressed their willingness to repatriate Indians back to their homeland. When the entire world and the countries are accepting their countrymen who are seafarers, why can’t we Indians do that?” asked Dixon.
Venzy Viegas, who heads the seafarers’ cell of AAP, asked: “What’s the plan of Indian Government if Miami closes down? How will Indian seafarers fly out? Can we secure this arrangement before Miami closes?”
