the goan I network
MARGAO
The family of deceased seaman from Ambelim, Brito D’Silva, who died during his captivity with the pirates,
was in touch with the Shipping company again on Monday with a request to ensure that the body of the deceased is brought home at the earliest.
In another development in the wake of increasing attacks on cargo vessels by pirates and the death of a Goan sailor during captivity, the Goan Seamen Association has demanded that the Indian Parliament work unitedly to safeguard the interests and safety of seafarers and protect the shipping trade and human life at sea.
Sources informed that the Captain, who was in Nigeria to secure the release of the 19 Indian seafarers, told the family members that the shipping company and the government will work in the direction of getting Brito’s body after the 19 seafarers reach home
safely.
“The family has been told that the shipping company will work with the agencies to try and get Brito’s body after the 19 sailors, including three from Goa, reach home,” sources said.
Brito died during captivity, with reports saying that the pirates had buried the body in the place where the seafarers were held captive.
The family has made a plea to the shipping company to get Brito’s body back home at the earliest.
Meanwhile, in a letter addressing South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, GSAI demanded that the Indian government take cognizance of the recent incident and deploy Naval ships in the entire region to protect and guard the ships from pirates and hijackers.
“The Indian government must take strong measures to avoid any such incidents, especially loss of life at sea. The life of a seafarer is a sacrificial job, battling storms and deprived of their families,” the GSAI said.
The Association pointed out that the recent death of Brito D’Silva, who was abducted by Nigerian pirates and died in their custody during negotiations was a sad thing for the seafarers community around the world.
“In recent years, there’s been too many attacks on vessels in the region of Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf, Middle East, African waters, etc. There’s scope of more attacks on vessels in this region. Indians are one of the highest number of seafarers around the world along with Philippines and South Americas,” the GSAI said, while demanding protection for the Indian seafarers.
