No sign-off yet for seafarers from Karnika, Angriya

Team Herald

PANJIM: Even as the 93 seafarers onboard Marella Discovery disembarked at Mumbai port on Wednesday after the DG Shipping clearance, the ordeal for the seafarers on Karnika and Angriya continued as there was no sign of them signing off soon.

Goan seafarer Lyod Pareira, speaking to Herald from the ship Karnika, said there is no sign of their evacuation almost three days after seafarers on the Discovery returned to port.

There are around 66 seafarers on Karnika and 23 on Angriya. “There is no sign of our evacuation or repatriation. We are still in middle of the sea and running out of food and water supply,” Lyod said.

He said some medical team arrived on the ships on Friday but could not complete testing due to technical difficulties. “None of the crew is infected with coronavirus. There is no update from anyone as of now,” he said.

NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar when contacted said he had no knowledge of those seafarers and will take an update soon. “I will look into the matter and revert soon,” he said.

Sources reveal that the remaining seafarers may not disembark before Monday.

Around 93 Indian seafarers signed off from Discovery and have been quarantined in Mumbai hotels. Their medical tests have also been done and results were awaited on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile representatives of the Goan Seamen Association of India have questioned why seafarers who had disembarked from the ships haven’t been brought back to Goa, and families of seafarers pleaded for the return of their dear ones. 

An emotional wife of a seafarer said they have only been listening to stories and nothing concrete is being done. She requested the government to get their dear ones soon. 

Seafarers association’s Dixon Vaz said, “How long will the families of the seafarers wait for a solution to the sufferings of the seafarers. It is not fair for seafarers to be stranded in the high seas and continue with the ordeal?” 

Capt Venzy Viegas asked why the seafarers on Karnika, Angriya and Marella are not reaching Goa even after the SOP has been finalised.