Tracking the detention of the "United Goddess" in India
2017-02-16 09:00
A Jiangsu cargo ship has been detained in India for nearly two months, with the crew members on board following related reports. Photo provided by the interviewee
Recently, the detention of the Jiangsu "United Goddess" cargo ship in India for nearly two months due to the ship owner's company debt issues has drawn public attention. At noon on the 15th, Captain Dai Xiaosong of the "United Goddess" said that due to a series of issues such as supplies and crew repatriation, a stalemate has temporarily occurred, and he is no longer able to perform his duties as captain. A reporter learned from the crew dispatch company, Nanjing Yuanteng Shipping Co., Ltd., that because the ship owner's company failed to appear within the final deadline, new solutions are still under discussion.
Stalemate due to unpaid agency fees and supply issues
The Beijing News reported on the 13th that Nanjing Yuanteng Shipping Co., Ltd., the crew dispatch company for the "United Goddess," is arranging for a local Indian agency to provide supplies to the ship. However, two days later, the supply issue remains deadlocked.
Dai Xiaosong told reporters that the company had previously notified him by email that it had arranged for a local agency to supply the ship, but he had not received a response from the agency within two days, and the supply issue remained unresolved. Dai Xiaosong said that currently, while the food supply can last a little longer, vegetables, fresh water, and fuel can only last for a week.
In addition, garbage disposal has not been effectively resolved. Dai Xiaosong said that in two days, the port authorities only collected a small amount of garbage, and most of the garbage is still piled up on the ship, some of which has deteriorated and become maggoty. There are many crows at the port, and the bagged garbage has been pecked open by crows, causing the garbage to scatter, resulting in a very poor environment on board.
Regarding the supply issue, Manager Han of Nanjing Yuanteng Shipping Co., Ltd., admitted that because their company owes the local Indian agency agency fees, the agency is unwilling to handle the supply issue. Manager Han said that they are actively coordinating with the agency on this matter.
A reporter learned from the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata, India, that because the original agency was unwilling to handle the supply of materials due to outstanding fees, Yuanteng Company has contacted another agency to handle the matter, but the coordination may still take some time.
The captain has been working continuously on the ship for 21 months
At 1:27 pm on the 15th, Captain Dai Xiaosong of the "United Goddess" told the Beijing News reporter that due to supply issues, crew repatriation, and his own physical condition, he is no longer able to perform his duties as captain.
In a written statement sent to the reporter, Dai Xiaosong stated that he has been working continuously on the ship for 21 months and has previously applied for leave many times without success. Coupled with assisting the media in reporting in recent days, helping the crew return home early and protecting their rights, the many pressures have caused him to be on the verge of a mental breakdown. "While I am still in a normal state, I am announcing to the outside world that I can no longer perform my duties as captain. I hope that relevant parties will arrange for a replacement to handle and operate the ship as soon as possible."
Dai Xiaosong hopes that the company will quickly arrange for a new captain to take over his duties and be responsible for the operation of the ship's daily affairs, while he will focus his main energy on fighting for the rights of the crew.
Regarding this statement, Manager Han of Yuanteng Shipping Co., Ltd., said that they are also aware of Captain Dai Xiaosong's situation and have arranged for a new captain to take over and is currently familiarizing himself with the ship's affairs.
Dai Xiaosong said that he has also seen the attention and efforts of various parties in China, including the media, on this incident. "Consulate personnel brought reporters to the ship for an interview on the 14th, but due to the very troublesome port entry procedures, the reporters did not board the ship until the evening, and the Indian side only allowed an hour of interview time." Dai Xiaosong said that if the incident can quickly develop in a good direction, the crew's mood can be stabilized.
Focus
Coordination unsuccessful, crew repatriation issue remains unresolved
According to reports, the Bombay High Court only detained the ship due to the ship owner's debt dispute and did not detain the crew, but according to international conventions, the ship must maintain a minimum number of personnel, which is the fundamental reason why the local port does not allow the crew to leave. According to the certificate issued by the "United Goddess"'s registered country, the minimum number of personnel required on board to meet sailing and safety requirements is 17.
According to this regulation, 6 of the 23 crew members on board can actually return home first, but this plan is not realistic due to many restrictions on the scene. Dai Xiaosong said, "If we don't take proper measures and let some people go first, it will affect the mood of the remaining crew."
In this regard, Consul Chen Ankai from the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata, India, said that the consulate has communicated with the Indian immigration department, and whether it is some crew members returning home first or all crew members rotating back home, the procedures can be processed normally. However, Chen Ankai said that the key to solving this problem lies in the coordination of various parties in China to come up with a feasible plan.
Manager Han of Yuanteng Shipping Co., Ltd., said that Yuanhao Shipping Co., Ltd., the ship owner, did not appear before the final deadline, and this matter has attracted the attention of the Nanjing Transportation Bureau, the Jiangsu Maritime Bureau, and other departments, and is currently coordinating a meeting to discuss solutions.
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