the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa Government has sought details of seafarers at various ports across the world to prepare an Activity Plan to ascertain the number of seamen stranded abroad.
Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Prasad Padhye sent a mail to the Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI) seeking cooperation from the seamen’s body in establishing the exact requirements of the Goan seafarers in these troubled times.
The CM’s OSD has requested the GSAI to compile a list of affected Goan seafarers and communicate to the CMO’s office with full name with passport/CDC number, contact number email id, present vessel/company details etc.
Details such as the presence port of call/location of seafarers; whether in contact with Indian embassy and exact type of assistance required by the seafarer, whether landing permission for charter, financial assistance, medical assistance etc also sought.
The CM’s OSD has promised GSAI that based on the feedback, it would be possible to form the activity plan.
On its part, the GSAI has offered full cooperation and assistance to the government in establishing detail of affected Goa seafarers who are stranded in different parts of the world due to COVID-19 pandemic.
GSAI President Frank Viegas pointed out that as per the details requirements, the Association has uploaded an assistance form so that seafarers get a direct link to submit their details to form an activity plan as soon as possible.
He said that the beleaguered seafarers can uploaded their details on the link http://goanseamen.com/goan-seafarers-assistance-form-covid-19.
“I appeal to our seafarers to send their details as fast as possible and all the details will be forwarded to the CM’s office with all details in the interest of the seamen. This link will be shared via the social media and the local print and electronic media to facilitate the seafarers to submit their details”, he said.
GSAI Secretary Benny Da Costa said the request received from the CMO’s office shows that the government has now come out with a positive plan for the early return of the seafarers. He, however,
urged the seafarers to send their details on the link so as to facilitate the GSAI to submit all their details to the government to prepare a plan of action. “I appeal to all the seafarers stranded on the ships across the world, who want to return home to give their details on the link”, Benny said.
