The Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA), Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipmanagers & Agents (MASSA), and Foreign Owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA) have expressed their deep anguish at the continued detention of the two Indian Officers from the tanker Hebei Spirit.
In a strongly worded recent press statement, Mr S Hajara, President of INSA, Capt N Passey, Chairman of FOSMA and Capt Shyam S Jairam, Chairman of MASSA stated, “We are deeply concerned at the continued and unjust detention of the 2 Indian Officers from the tanker Hebei Spirit, despite being declared innocent.”
It can be recalled that in a judgment handed down on June 23, 2008 at a branch of the Daejeon District Court in the city of Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, on South Korea's west coast, the Master and Chief Officer of the Hebei Spirit were found innocent of all charges of violating the ocean pollution law; as was the Hong Kong owner of the vessel, Hebei Spirit Shipping Co Ltd.
“Capt Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan have conducted themselves in the highest level of professional excellence in respecting and abiding by the law of the land and provided their fullest cooperation to the investigations and legal process. They have been in Korea since December 7, 2007 and been present at the court proceedings whenever required,” they stated.
They express their displeasure saying, “We now understand that despite being declared innocent, the exit ban has been further extended preventing them from leaving Korea and that the officers may well have to stay another year.”
The officers have pledged that they “will certainly visit Korea and attend court hearings to be held at the appellate court and participate in the legal proceedings in a sincere and earnest manner.” Additionally, the Hebei Spirit’s owners and managers have confirmed that they will take all necessary measures to provide assistance to the Master and Chief Officer to enable them to attend the court hearings before the appellate court.
“The continued detention by the Korean authorities, despite the acquittal and furthermore despite the assurances provided, appear unjustified and in violation of officers’ basic rights. We urge the Indian and International shipping community and other human rights organization to join us in our appeal to the Government of the Republic of Korea to take all necessary steps to permit the seafarers to return to their homes and reunite with their families,” these associations have appealed.

NUSI, MUI to stage demonstration
Other leading industry associations like National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) and Maritime Union of India (MUI) jointly under the banner of Indian Seafarers Federation (ISF) are coordinating activities nationally and internationally to seek the release of Capt Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan.

In a joint press communiqué, these associations have decried the unjust detention of the two Indian officers by the Korean authorities. Mr Abdulgani Y Serang, General Secretary-cum-Treasurer, NUSI and Mr S S Khan, General Secretary, MUI have stated that the two Indian Seafarers serving on a tanker ship ‘Hebei Spirit’, despite being declared innocent, have been held under detention in Korea since December 7, 2007. The two were recently acquitted by a South Korean Court. They have been declared innocent of all charges slapped on them for alleged violation of the ocean pollution law, following last year’s oil spill when a floating crane collided with their ‘Hebei Spirit’.
In order to pressurize the release of Capt Chawla and Chief Officer Chetan, the two associations have planned to hold a massive demonstration on July 31, 2008 at 11.30 hours outside the office of the Korean Consulate at Kanchanjunga Building, Peddar Road, Mumbai to protest against the continued detention of the Indian seafarers by the Korean authorities. The release stated that a memorandum will be handed over to the Korean Consulate in Mumbai with an appeal to the Government of Republic of Korea to take all necessary steps to repatriate the Indian seafarers. They have appealed for support from the Government of India, Maritime Administration, Shipping companies, Associations and Trade Unions to strengthen our efforts for a positive outcome.

‘Detained Seafarers need immediate help’
Meanwhile condemning the Korean authorities, CR Kelso, Captain (Rtd), Southampton SO31 8DB in a mail addressed to THE MARINE WORLD. His mail reads as follows:
The Round Table, the International Transport Federation, the Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association, InterManager, the International Group of P&I Clubs, and others, have jointly issued a vigorous protest at the continued detention of Capt Chawla and chief officer Chetan. Let us not forget that six years after his stricken ship was denied a port of refuge, Capt Mangouras of the Prestige is still not at liberty and that Capt Laptalo of the Coral Sea — after 12 months in a maximum security prison in Greece and a farcical show trial where he was denied natural justice — has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
These men are guiltless and their lives and those of their families have been destroyed. As the president of InterManager, Ole Stene, said – “Yet again we see our highly professional and valued seafarers singled out for appalling treatment.”
“Mr Stene goes on to ask (and answer) a pertinent question: “Would the airline industry accept this? I think not.”
How right is he?
If these men were aircrew, there would be an international outcry, sanctions and other economic penalties would be imposed and their plight would be highlighted globally.
These men are not guilty of any crime and their continued detention is wholly unjustified. We must ensure that time does not erode international disgust at their treatment by countries who profess to uphold the principles of democracy.