This subject has been discussed here before, but it is just as relevant today as it was back 10 years ago:
Anybody here have anything to contribute?
2 Likes
Well, Kuba has a long history of trying to fix things, that are unfixable from confined spaces entries accidents , through lifeboats and lifeboats hooks to criminalisation.
Kind of wild goose chase lasting decades with no appreciable progress . In FOC environment were minimum cost is GOD and this is where He is sitting right smack in the middle such ideas rarely get traction . But kudos for his uninteruppted efforts as hope is the last thing that dies.
The Southampton Crown Court, UK, on Friday, February 14, sentenced the master of a North Sea cargo ship and the company operating the vessel for their involvement in causing a fatal accident in 2021. The master, who was reported to have been on his first voyage in command, pleaded guilty to failing to operate the vessel following the safety management plan while the shipping company was found guilty in a four-week trial for failing to operate its ships safely.
UK Ship Master Gets Suspended Sentence, Company Fined Ā£180,000 in Fatal Baltic Sea Collision
UK Sentences Master and Shipping Company for 2021 Fatal Incident
1 Like
Indians did it again. Criminalising seafarers from ships having unfortunate accident in or in close proximity of their waters seems to be their favourite pass time.
But in the cases their dudes were involved they seem not so eager to join the outrage and condemnation and finger pointing in the media. Somehow they change tack trying to paint their own as victims rather then perpetrators. Very unfair and twisted logic one may see here let alone the double standards.
Wan Hai 503 Crew Faces Negligence Inquiry After Deadly Blast
" The charges are comprehensive, including negligent navigation; obstructing lines of navigation; negligent handling toxic substances; negligent handling of flammable materials; and endangering human life by using explosives. An additional conspiracy charge applies to the crewās allegedly unified actions. "
Indian police file charges in wake of Wan Hai 503 blaze - Splash247
" The case against the Wan Hai 503ās owners mirrors legal proceedings already underway related to the MSC Elsa 3, a container vessel that sank off Kochi last month. In that case, the Kerala Coastal Police also registered charges against the responsible parties, citing negligence and lapses in safety compliance.
The Kerala High Court today issued a conditional arrest order for the Liberian-flagged containership MSC Polo II, a sister vessel to the sunken MSC Elsa 3, in response to a cargo loss claim filed by Sans Cashew India. "
From Maasmond Newsclippings today:
In the Wrong place, at the wrong time - just doing your job.ā.
Any one of us could be in his place.
By : Captain Alexandros Lignos Master Mariner - Marine Superintendent / Port Captain
Ali Albokhari wasnāt a criminal.
He was a Chief Officer.
But when drugs were found onboard,
he was the easiest one to blame.
Wrong uniform. Wrong passport.
Now heās serving 30 years in a foreign prison.
No evidence. No trial. No truth.
He became the face of the crime simply because he was there.
This may seem distant to those ashore.
Easy to say, āHe must have done something.ā
But for us - for seafarers this is terrifyingly real.
Weāve seen drugs hidden under the hull,
stuck with magnets by divers in the dark.
Weāve seen containers sealed at origin,
packed with things the crew will never know about.
You think weāre in control?
Sometimes weāre the last to know what weāre carrying. And the first to blame
Let me tell you what I saw.
I was a Superintendent onboard a 8,400-TEU container vessel in the U.S.
Customs came onboard. With dogs.
They said nothing.
They went straight to one container.
They had intel - they knew.
They opened it, seized the narcotics,
thanked us for our cooperation, and left.
No drama. No blame. No injustice.
Thatās how it should be.
Because the real traffickers?
They donāt wear coveralls.
They donāt stand watch at 4 a.m.
They donāt sign ballast logs.
They operate from the shadows
and let seafarers take the fall.
** Ali didnāt smuggle anything.**
He smuggled courage.
He sailed into a system that never had his back.
Now heās paying the price
for someone elseās crime
and for everyone elseās silence.
But silence is no longer an option.
Because if we allow this to continue,
you could be next.
Your brother. Your Captain. Your son.
This industry cannot survive
on the backs of men it throws away.
There are no borders when the world needs cargo.
So donāt draw borders when a seafarer needs justice.
1 Like