Being a publication and platform for the entire marine fraternity, THE MARINE WORLD has always tried its level best to take up the various issues of the industry with utmost responsibility and sincerity. At times the magazine has got enormous support from the shipping fraternity and its well wishers while taking up different issues of the shipping industry. Fighting for the rights of the Seafarers has been a regular feature of our fortnightly and over the years we have always tried to ensure that the voice of the men at sea are not ignored by the authorities in air conditioned chambers on the shore. Hence, we always try to ensure that the Seafarers in troubled waters are not left to their destiny and their plights are highlighted through us and reach those at helm of affairs.
Recently, we received an e-mail stating that the lives of 7 Indian seamen of MV Nirmal Bhushan were in danger at Umm Qasar Port in Iraq. The message alleged that the indifferent attitude of the owner of the vessel was the root cause for the various problems of the crew. The sender of the mail also had sent the same e-mail message to the D G Shipping, Consulate of India in Baghdad (Iraq) and the owner of the concerned shipping company (Mr VB Verma, Owner, Binny Shipping Co, Mumbai).
Our editorial team soon replied to the sender at his e-mail ID nirmalbhushan@skyfile.com stating we would certainly take up the matter and do whatever best we can to help the Seafarers in trouble. Accordingly, we wrote to the D G Shipping and the owner of the shipping company too.
Soon we got a mail from another e-mail ID info@absmarine.com. The sender claimed to be Mr Sandeep of ABS Marine. He also has addressed the same message to various concerned authorities requesting repatriation of crew members of the vessel. We again wrote to the DG Shipping seeking help for the troubled crew members.
Unfortunately there was no reply from the DG Shipping Office excepting a CC of an e-mail message that Nautical Advisor, Capt M M Saggi has urged Capt Khatri to look into the matter.
We hope the issue has been settled by now either amicably or due to pressure from the authorities. But it was a sorry state of affairs that neither the DG Shipping's Office in spite of our repeated requests communicated anything about the issue, nor the crew who desperately cried for help had the time or opportunity to write to us. May be they were threatened to keep shut and not to communicate further with the media about their worries.
If the issue is settled and the Seafarers are safe and fine (either with help of the authorities or by the owner of the shipping company), then we would be really glad. But, if the issue still persists and the aggrieved men at sea who dared to approach the media have been threatened to keep away from the Press, then it's really unfortunate.
THE MARINE WORLD definitely wishes that there would never be any such unpleasant issues in future for our Seafarers and the industry may achieve all success. But, if such incidents continue to take place, the authorities take a lackadaisical stand and the troubled Seafarers are barred from approaching the Fourth Estate, then it would be a shame for Indian democracy.
We present here the series of e-mails we received in connection with the alleged problems in M V Nirmal Bhushan for reference of our readers.
The readers are advised to ignore the grammatical errors in the mails, since they are carried as it is and are unedited.
From: "nirmalbhushan" Nirmalbhushan@SkyFile.com
To: admin@themarineworld.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 3:34 AM
Subject: M V Nirmal Bhushan
7 Indian seamen life in danger at Iraq port Umm Qasr six months before Binny Shipping ship Nirmal Bhushan was arrested due to hatch cover leakages on the rice cargo. V B Verma owner not pay damage money. Binny Shipping not signing off after completing contract. Hot weather conditions very bad. We all fitters paid Rs 40,000 to Ganga Ghudekarshekar no salary, no diesel on the Nirmal Bhushan. Agent buying daily street provisions. Pls help to get repatriated from Umm Qasr war area port. B V Verma, owner, Binny Shipping Co,981 990 8091/ 982 009 4361,202-diamond House, Off Linking Road/35th Road,TPS III,
Bandra West,Mumbai-50.
e.mail binyship@bom3.vsnl.net.in
Phone 649 5716/ 604 2315 / 604 5452. Please Help. Agent ABS Marine.
Vivek K Singh/ Harendra/ Narendra/ Promod/ Abishak Seamen
N/B 633,
CC.To: Honourable, Consulate of India, Baghdad, Iraq.
Respected, Director General of Shipping, Mumbai, India.
Dear Sir/s;
Kind attn : Mr. V B Verma, owner, M V Nirmal Bhushan, Binny Shipping Co, Off Linking Road, Diamond House, Bandra-West, Mumbai.
Kindly note that all officers and crew members stopped working on board your unseaworthy ship, M V Nirmal Bhushan, from today at 1100 Hrs LT. As you are the owner reasons of all our sufferings on board, at war zone Iraq; if any untoward incident occurs on board, you are Mr. V B Verma, Responsible.
Kindly repatriate us all, myself and other twenty three(23) total 24 officers and crew members, at earliest and pay our wages until arrival of our respective home ports.
Thanks, Master / M V Nirmal Bhushan.
From: "nirmalbhushan" Nirmalbhushan@SkyFile.com
To: vbv@binnyship.com
Cc: consbaghdad@yahoo.com;
dgship@dgshipping.com; kk@dgshipping.com;
venu@dgshipping.com; seamensena@vsnl.net;
admin@themarineworld.com
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2008 1:16 PM
Subject: C/Engr & Ch. Off Informed Master
N/B 632,
CC/To: Honourable, Consulate Of India, Baghdad, Iraq.
Respected, Director General Of Shipping, Mumbai, India.
Dear Sir/s;
Kind Attn. Mr. V B Verma, Owner, Binny Shipping Co., Off Linking Road, Diamond House, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Kindly note that C/Engr. and C/Officer informed me this morning that they are not willing to sail further from this port Umm Qasr. Also, informed me that Mr. Anand Pawar -Electrical Officer, Mr. Harendra Chauhan - Fitter and Mr. Abishak Chauhan are stopped working from this morning and informed they are fed up of your cheatings and exploitations. Although, they asked you repatriation from last seven months arrested your unseaworthy ship Nirmal Bhushan; you are exploiting us/all Indians.
Therefore, here after any abnormal incident occurs on board your ship against every ones safety on; you are Mr V B Verma, as not taking care of your officers and crew on board your own unseaworthy ship M/V Nirmal Bhushan responsible.
Kindly, repatriate myself, officers and crew members immediately from port,
Umm Qasr - Iraq.
Thanks/Master, M V Nirmal Bhushan.
From: Sandeep info@absmarine.com
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2008 15:30
To:'nirmalbhushan' Nirmalbhushan@SkyFile.com; vbv@binnyship.com
CC:consbaghdad@yahoo.com; dgship@dgshipping.com dgship@dgshipping.com; kk@dgshipping.com
kk@dgshipping.com; venu@dgshipping.com
venu@dgshipping.com; seamensena@vsnl.net
seamensena@vsnl.net; admin@themarineworld.com
To: Master M V Nirmal Bhushan
FM: ABS Marine - Mumbai
RE: Crew Repatriation
DT: 12.07.08
Good Day Sir
Ref Your Below Message And Subsequent Telcon With Unsigned Had With You As Per Below Flt Sch The Flwg Crew Are Being Repatriated. The Balance Crew Will Be Signed Off By Next Week As We Are Awaiting The Visa.
1. Mr. Bendijo Hisola E Mr. 3/O
2. Mr. Parame Morgia S Mr. Ab
3. Mr. Urbina Vargas F Mr. Ab
4. Mr. Billones Alipoyo Z Mr Oiler
5. Mr. Gregorio Arpe J G S
6. Mr. Geaga Gavion Jr T Mr. 3/Eng
7. Mr. Bula Alex D Mr. Oiler
8. Mr. Singh Vivek Kumar Mr. Cadet
9. Mr. Chauhan Pramod Mr. Ftr
10. Chauhan Abhishek Mr. Ftr
FLT SCH:
15.07.08 TG 520 DUBAI / BANGKOK 2240 / 0805
16.07.08 TG 620 BANGKOK / MANILA 0920 / 1335
We request you to kindly liaise with Al Ray Shipping -Capt. Karim regarding confirm departure of ferry from Umm Qasar and other signing off formalities. We are still awaiting your bow statement of above signing off crew members. Pls cnfm same in order and do the needful.
Tks/Rgds
Sandeep
ABS Marine - Mumbai
-----Original Message-----
From: nirmalbhushan
[mailto:Nirmalbhushan@SkyFile.com]
Sent: 12 July 2008 14:30
To: vbv@binnyship.com
Cc: consbaghdad@yahoo.com;
dgship@dgshipping.com; kk@dgshipping.com;
venu@dgshipping.com; info@absmarine.com;
seamensena@vsnl.net;
admin@themarineworld.com
Subject: all stopped working
N/B 633,
CC.To: Honourable, Consulate Of India, Baghdad, Iraq.
Respected, Director General Of Shipping, Mumbai, India.
Dear Sir/s;
Kind Attn: Mr. V B Verma, owner, M V Nirmal Bhushan, Binny Shipping Co, Off Linking Road, Diamond House, Bandra-West, Mumbai.
Kindly note that all officers and crew members stopped working on board your unseaworthy ship, M V Nirmal Bhushan, from today at 1100hrs LT.
As you are the owner reasons of all our sufferings on board, at war zone Iraq; if any untoward incident occurs on board, you are Mr. V B Verma, responsible. Kindly repatriate us all, myself and other twenty three (23) total 24 officers and crew members, at earliest and pay our wages until arrival of our respective home ports.
Thanks, Master/ M V. Nirmal Bhushan.
