MARGAO: As the uncertainty over the return of the mortal remains of deceased seafarer Brito D’Silva grows, the organisations working for the welfare of seafarers have demanded action from the public representatives of Goa.
It is known from some highly placed sources that seafarers, who are now in safe custody after spending a near life and death encounter with the pirates may return to India on January 23.
“D’Silva was the lone breadwinner for the family and was just one and a half month in voyage after his marriage in September. Sizeable compensation and assurance of future wellbeing of the family of Brito is most important now,” said a villager from Ambelim. “The D’Silva family was dependent on the income of Brito and waiting until the compensation may be a challenge for the D’Silva family,” he added.
Meanwhile the Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI) has written to all the three MPs of Goa to place a demand before the Parliament to deploy Navy ships and provide Armed guards to vessels in the Region.
“With the recent death of a seafarer Brito D’Silva who was abducted by Nigerian pirates and died in their custody while negotiations were on is a very sad thing for the seafarers’ community around the world. In recent years there have been too many attacks on vessels in the region of Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf, Middle East and African Waters. There is a scope of more attacks on vessels in this region. Indians are one of the highest numbers of seafarers around the world along with the Philippines and South Americans,” said the Seafarers Association spokesperson Dixon Vaz.
“We request the Indian Government to immediately take cognizance of this incident and request to deploy Navy warships in this entire region to protect and to guard the vessels in this region from such attacks of pirates and hijackers,” requested GSAI. They also requested the Indian Government a need to take strong measures to avoid any such incidents especially loss of any human life at sea while working on board ship.
“The life of a seafarer is a sacrificial job, battling in storms and deprived of his family life. Shipping is considered one of the most important trades in India which brings billions of dollars to support the Indian economy. Therefore to protect this trade and Human life at sea we request that the Parliament should work unitedly to safeguard the interest of the seafarers and their safety,” requested GSAI.
