Dubai: There has been a sharp rise in cases related to problems faced by Indian crew members off the coast of Dubai and the northern emirates, the Consulate General of India in Dubai said.
In a statement on Sunday, the consulate said it had received many SOS [Save Our Souls] calls from stranded Indian crew members of late.
The cases were mainly related to unpaid wages, shortage of provisions and arranging immediate sign offs.
The consulate helped resolve 13 cases, intervening in taking up issues with the ship owners or agents, and with local port and immigration authorities.
A total of 105 crew members on different ships were assisted. No crew is stranded at the moment, the consulate confirmed to Gulf News.
The spike in cases has stemmed from a variety of issues rather than an underlying trend. “There is no definite trend. The problem on ships or vessels happens mainly on account of service issues, loss of business, medical emergencies and family emergencies requiring immediate sign-off,” the consulate added.
The Indian mission uses a range of tactics to assist affected crews.
“The consulate officers visit the ship or vessels on board to [assess] a certain situation and provide moral and material support. The material support is mainly extended by the consulate through shipping agents. The consulate also liaises with local port authorities and Indian associations for every possible support for the stranded crews.”
In the case of three ships belonging to Varun Shipping, the consulate’s intervention helped stranded crew members return home to India. Gulf News had reported on the plight of the crew of one of the ships – Maharishi Devatreya – which had been in limbo for a year.
The consulate’s intervention also resulted in the “timely resolution” of ten more cases.
The consulate made simultaneous efforts to get relief and look into the welfare of the stranded crews, providing immediate support with regard to issues of air conditioning, provision of food, rations, medicines and partial sign-offs.
Also, the consulate has taken up the matter with the Dubai port authorities, with discussions resulting in the opening of a channel of communication between the consulate and authorities with regard to the problems of stranded Indian crew members. The communications between distressed crews will be shared between the consulate and port officials “for a speedy action for relief”.
