the goan I network
VASCO
When fourth engineer, Govind Suresh Naik of Chicalim, boarded a British-flagged oil tanker from the Fujairah port in UAE on July 16, only his fourth trip at sea, little did he expect the tanker would seized by Iranian forces three days later and he along with the other crew would be caught in the midst of a major crisis involving Iran and the UK.
The Naik family are concerned and anxious about the developments, but have expressed relief as their son has been in contact with them and has reassured them that he is safe and is being treated properly.
Iran seized the British oil tanker ‘Stena Impero’ in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19 and the vessel is currently anchored at the Bandar Abbas port.
An Iranian official has claimed that all 23 crew members, which consist of a large number of Indians, will remain on the ship until the probe is over.
When contacted, Govind’s father, Suresh, confirmed that his son was among the crew members on board the seized ‘Stena Impero’.
“The crew are safe and initially, the company was in contact with us. But my son called me on phone to update about the developments,” said Suresh.
Suresh said his son had informed him that the crew did not face any harassment and that, the tanker was anchored in an Iranian port.
“I am hopeful the issue will be resolved peacefully and that the tanker will be released soon,” said Suresh.
“This has been my son’s fourth trip at sea. He had boarded the ship from the Fujairah port in UAE on July 16 and the ship was seized on July 19. Since the last two days, he has been in contact with us.”
“He told me that there are 18 Indians and four foreign nationals on the ship. He said the ship is in some Iranian port. He also said no one was harassing any crew members and there was nothing to worry.”
Suresh said they were informed that the ship had been seized in Iran by two helicopters.
“The next morning, we received a call from the company stating there is nothing to fear as they were already in negotiations.”
“My son has called me and I spoke to him on phone. We are happy that he is calling us almost everyday and there is no problem even about food.”
“My son has informed me that someone from the Indian embassy is likely to arrive on the ship and we will know the next step,” said Suresh.
“The shipping company has been regularly in contact with us and we receive about four calls a day updating us about the developments.”
Suresh said they have been informed that officials from the shipping company and insurance company are in Iran to resolve the issue.
“There is no work onboard the ship and the crew are safe. They have been allowed to eat and rest. We do hope that the issue is resolved soon and the ship is released, so that our son can return home on completion of his trip,” Suresh added.
