the goan I network
MARGAO
After a video showing Goan seafarers aboard the Marella Discovery ship making a fervent plea to the State government to facilitate their disembarkation at Mumbai before the vessel heads to Europe on Wednesday went viral, local seamen association, GSAI and politiians turned to Chief MinsterPramod Sawant Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik to use their good offices with the Centre to help the beleaguered seamen return home.
The Goan Seafarers Association of India (GSAI) sent an SOS to the Chief Minister as well the Director General of Shipping to act immediately to ensure that the Indian crew, including 65 Goans onboard Marella Discovery, are allowed to disembark at Mumbai before the cruise ship heads to Europe.
After an emergency meeting at the GSAI office, which was attended by president Frank Viegas, Dixon Vaz, Capt VenzyViegas and others, the association made it clear that the seafarers are warriors and not carriers and urged the government to act as fast as possible.
Frank Viegas said the government should act fast as the vessel, which is in the Indian waters for the last 40 days, is set to sail for Europe on Wednesday evening. “The Indian crew was desperately asking help to come home. The company has been waiting for the government approval to disembark,” Frank said.
Capt Venzy suggested that the Indian crew of Marella Discovery should be transferred immediately on Karnika before the vessel sets sail to Europe so that the Indian crew stays back in the country.
GSAI founder President Dixon Vaz demanded that the decision should be taken today itself, fearing that the vessel will sail to Europe with the Indian crew onboard for 40 days. “It is a big shame for us as the vessel with different nationalities has been trying to get the Indian crew to disembark and the crew is running out of food,” he said.
GSAI has already brought to the notice of the CM, Union Minister Shripad Naik, NRI Commissioner Sawaikar about the ordeal faced by the Indian crew, including Goan seafarers, in the absence of signals for their disembarkation.
