5 stranded sailors return home
abu dhabi — Five Indian sailors, who were stranded in the UAE waters for months, returned home on Sunday night. They were among the many sailors who are struggling to survive without basic amenities like food and electricity, and months of salary onboard a dozen ships in the UAE waters.
It is due to consistent efforts initiated by the Consulate-General of India the sailors of MV Sharjah Moon could return home.
“With our persistent efforts, five Indian sailors of Sharjah Moon, who were stuck here for many months, returned home,” Indian Consul-General in Dubai Vipul said in his tweet after the departure of sailors from the Sharjah International Airport.
Local authorities, Panama diplomatic mission and social workers joined with the Indian consulate in the operation. Vipul noted the assistance provided by
With our persistent efforts, five Indian sailors of Sharjah Moon, who were stuck here for many months, returned home.” Vipul, Consul-General of India in Dubai
the UAE’s Federal Transport Authority (FTA), Consulate-General of the Republic of Panama and social worker Girish Pant.
The ship had been at anchorage for a year and the sailors were surviving on limited provision for months.
On July 1, the consulate was able to send back captain of the ship Jaiprakash, who hails from north Indian state of Uttarakhand.
On Sunday, Subith Sukumaran from Kerala, Amit Chandel from Himachal Pradesh, Naib S from Haryana, Vikram S from Punjab and Harendra S from Uttar Pradesh flew back to India.
“Thank God,” said Sukumaran as his ordeal came to an end. He also appreciated the effort taken by the missions and social workers. He left for Kerala and the others flew to New Delhi.
Social worker Girish Pant said even though sailors are rescued there’s still a lot to be done.
“These sailors first contacted me and I took up the matter with the consulate. Afterwards, I and consulate officials held meeting with the FTA and sorted out the matter. We followed the case for two months. The consul-general visited the ship once and was present at the airport on Sunday night. The sailors returned with half their salaries.”
Pant said the local authorities need to be strict towards ship anchorage for months.
As of now, ship’s chief engineer is the only person remaining onboard and awaiting a reliever.
“So far 19 Alco Shipping sailors have returned. Some more will be back home by end of this month,” he hoped.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com