GSAI president Frank Viegas briefing the media on the death of Beejoy Ressel Sequeira at Margao on Sunday. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar.
MARGAO
Family members of a young seafarer, Beejoy Ressel Sequeira, aged 37 years, who passed away on board a ship on September 17, have alleged negligence behind his death while demanding action against the Master of the ship, besides the shipping company and the Mumbai-based crew managing company.
The Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) also demanded justice for Beejoy. GSAI President Frank Viegas demanded that Director General of Shipping must initiate fair inquiry into the cause of death of the seafarer onboard MV Jabal Alkawar owned and managed by Oman Shipping, which will give a clear message to the shipping fraternity. He said prompt action against the shipping company will boost the morale of seafarers who are out at sea. In solidarity and support, GSAI stands firm in this hour of grief to seek justice from the concerned authorities to the deceased family members, Frank said.
Beejoy Ressel Sequeira
At a press briefing with members of the Goan Seamen Association of India, Beejoy’s elder brother Eldon, said his brother who was employed as a chief cook, had messaged him on September 7 that he was having high fever with Covid symptoms since 5th September, adding that another crew member was also running high fever. “They were at the port during this time and cargo discharging was in progress in Malaysia. On the same day, I advised him to request the Master for RT-PCR test”, he said.
“He was sick since 5th September. When the vessel was in port in Malaysia, his condition deteriorated and there was no initiative taken by the Master and company to divert the ship to nearest port. The company has not replied as to what events led to his death, the officials only called to inform that he expired on 17th September”, he added.
Alleging negligence on part of the Master, DPA, the shipping company and the ship crew management, he said the Master should have carried out RT-PCR test while the vessel was still in the port. “The Master provided false information to Malaysia port control regarding Covid clearance protocol before departure knowing that some of his crew members were sick with symptoms of Coronavirus, he said,
Capt Elborne D'Silva (President MUI) told the media that it is the responsibility of the Master for safety of life at sea. “It was utter negligence on the part of Master for not diverting the ship when he was advised by the shore medical team. There is always lot of commercial pressure from the owners/managers.
Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of the Master to take the right decision. Today a life was lost due to sheer negligence”, he said.
