Indian Seafarers Federation (ISF) Appeal

Here's an appeal from the unions to all.

INDIAN SEAFARERS FEDERATION (ISF)
National Union of Seafarers of India, The Maritime Union of India
NUSI Bhavan, 4, Goa Street, Udyog Bhavan, 4th Floor,
Ballard Estate, 29 Walchand Hirachand Marg,
Mumbai- 400 001. Ballard Estate, Mumbai- 400001
Tel: 22618368 / 9, Tel. No. 22613052 / 2261507
E.mail: nusi@vsnl.com E.mail: oceanite@vsnl.com

11th December, 2008
Dear Sir,
Sub: Unjust Judgement on “Hebei Spirit” issue
Shipping fraternity terms it “outrageous”



The ship “Hebei Spirit” was at safe parking (anchorage) in South Korea. It was collided by a tug-towed crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy Industries resulting in an oil spill. Capt. Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan were detained since December, 2007 in South Korea despite being proved innocent on 23rd June, 2008 by the Court. The matter went into appeal. Mr. Roberto Giorgi, President, V. Ships, Technical Managers of the Hebei Spirit, commented “on the possibility of Samsung and Korean authorities ‘colluding’ for the retrial to overturn the initial “innocent” verdict for both Master and Chief Officer, brought down on June, 23, by another Korean judge”. This is exactly what had happened.

Justice was denied when the judgement, which was delivered on December 10th 2008, found Capt. Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan guilty and sentenced them for 18 months and 8 months respectively. The two Indian seafarers were handcuffed and paraded in blatant disregards to human rights. This is yet another example of criminilisation of seafarers.

In the meeting held between the stakeholders of shipping fraternity i.e. National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), the Maritime Union of India (MUI) Foreign Owners Representatives and Shipmanagers Association (FOSMA) Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) and the Indian National Shipowners Association (INSA) the following was decided.

1. Appeal to more than two hundred thousand seafarers, their family members, and other proud Indians to boycott Korean products especially Samsung.
2. Appeal to Indian shipowners to review the orders placed for new ships presently being build in Korean shipyards which runs into billions of dollars.
3. Appeal to shipowners to stop operating ships, particularly tankers, to Korea.
4. Appeal to seafarers worldwide to seriously reconsider before entering Korean waters and ports as they might meet the same fate as seafarers of “Hebei Spirit”. Such a boycott by seafarers will have severe consequences on the Korean economy.
5. We have also approached Mr. Abhinav Bindra and Mr. Aamir Khan who are brand ambassadors of Samsung products to support the cause of Capt. Jasprit Chawla and Chief Office Syam Chetan.
6. Seafarers are apprehensive to go to Korean waters after the judgement, in the same way, as they are apprehensive to go to the waters of Somalia.

Yours faithfully, Yours faithfully,


(Abdulgani Y. Serang) (S. S. Khan)
General Secretary-cum-Treasurer General Secretary
National Union of Seafarers of India The Maritime Union of India