8 stranded Indian sailors return home
Seamen agree to part payment as authorities initiate action on company
Eight Indian sailors who were stranded without wages for nine months aboard the vessel MV Topman in Dubai, flew back home on Saturday night.
The repatriation of the crew members of the Panamaflagged ship that was docked in Dubai Maritime City happened after authorities and philanthropists intervened.
In a report published on September 25, Gulf News had highlighted the plight of the sailors, who claimed their company had abandoned them without providing wages and enough food and fuel.
Saying they had been paid only one month’s salary since they arrived in Dubai waters ■ in November 2017, the men had also alleged that there was minimal supply of food and drinking water.
Speaking to Gulf News from India, the seafarers yesterday said they agreed to fly home after the Protection and Indemnity (P and I) Insurer assured them of four months’ payment once they reach India.
Following the Gulf News report, the Panama Consulate had initiated proceedings against the shipping company and the Federal Transport Authority of the UAE had imposed fines on the company since it did not provide a plan to solve the sailors’ plight.
A representative of the vessel’s agency said the firm paid for new visas, tickets and overstay fines to facilitate the sailors’ repatriation, despite being not paid by the company since January. She said various officials from the Dubai Maritime City Authority and Dubai Police also offered their assistance.