MARGAO: Goan Seamen’s Association of India (GSAI) on Monday requested the Union Minister Shripad Naik, besides the NRI commission for his intervention to release and bring back those Indian seafarers, who are held captive at Equatorial Guinea.
However as informed by Captain G Ramaswamy, CEO, OSM fleet Management (India) Private Limited, all the crew including Indians are safe.
GSAI President Frank Viegas, told reporters that the vessel has a total crew of 26 persons including Indians.
On the other hand NRI Commission has also informed that they have received a memorandum in this regard and are in touch with the concerned authorities to find out if any Goans seafarers amongst the 26 crew members.
Those held captive have already requested for the help and assistance from the concerned authorities in India, besides the Government of India, as all of them have been held captive since August 14.
The vessel was arrested by the Equatorial Guinea naval ship in international waters on August 12, 2022 and brought to Luba port in Equatorial Guinea under naval escort and threat of lethal action against the vessel and crew if orders are not complied on 14th August 2022.
Viegas told Herald that as per the information received by them the vessel was arrested based on a request made by Nigeria. The ship was supposed to load cargo of crude oil in Nigeria’s AKPO terminal on August 8, 2022, but as per terminal instructions the loading operation was delayed, and the ship never made any operations in Nigeria.
15 crew members were taken ashore on the same day consisting of 9 Indians also and have ever since been held in detention at Malabo till today. 11 crew members were left on the ship out of which 6 Indian nationals.
“As per the information received the crew members onboard the ship and the crew members held ashore are in an extremely critical mental condition and their physical health is also deteriorating rapidly”, said Viegas.
He also said that GSAI has written letters to all the concerned authorities for earlier release of the Indian seafarers.
Anthony D’Souza, NRI told Herald they have not yet received any information about the Goans seafarers amongst those held captive.
“We will get it confirmed first about the Goans seafarers if any and then concrete steps will be taken to initiate the next proceedings,” he said.
Captain G Ramaswamy, CEO, OSM fleet Management (India) Private Limited informed that all the crew of Indian origin are safe.
“All my crew are safe. No need to worry. Their only concern is not to go to Nigeria. We request our Government intervention to communicate with Nigerian authorities to release our people and not to take them to Nigeria’s custody”, he stated.
Meanwhile, the Benaulim MLA VenzyViegas has also raised a global SOS for their release from their unlawful detention of 75 days.
