30 Sep 2004 -
World Maritime Day 30 September 2004

The attack on the WTC on Sept 11, 2000 had wide effects, in particular on Indonesian seafarers working on board vessels plying in U.S waters. Seafarers working on board vessels do not have to come into U.S ports to need to have a visa. They, whose vessels entered U.S waters (even without entering U.S ports) are required to have a C1/D visa or will be sent home at the ship owner’s expense. Indonesian seafarers have been sent home by the owners because of inconveniencies caused by the U.S authorities when ships is callied at U.S ports. Although not officially stated it is widely believed that this was because the country from which the seafarers originated is Indonesia, the country with the most Moslems as its inhabitants. Add to this other countries involved, it has resulted in the loss of jobs for Indonesian seafarers.

Domestically, C1/D U.S visa application procedures have changed drastically. Officially visa processing requires five weeks. However a seaman named Moses received his visa “only” after 17 (seventeen) months from the date of application. Waiting for almost one and a half year without job may be unthinkable for one depending the living on working on board ships.

The process of visa process in Indonesia is as follows;

• Submit request for interview

• Interview decided by U.S Embassy / consulate (which may be days or weeks)

• Personal interview at the destined office

• Wait and check with U.S website (Waiting time may be a couple of weeks, but may be months)

• Decision whether application granted or rejected.

The direct effect is that seamen will have difficulties finding employment. One must not forget that the

application must include guarantee from the employers that seamen will be employed. It is rather difficult for the employer to issue such letter without even knowing when the seaman will be issued visa or rejected.

It is still a dilemma for Indonesian seamen without even being certain when this will end. Thousands of Indonesian seamen serve on vessels plying in U S waters. Once their visa expires, they have to face months of waiting to have a new visa in condition that they are off hired a jobless. No one can be blamed, but there is a hope that the situation will change. Especially the change of the U.S attitude that seamen are not terrorists.

Best regards,

Hanafi Rustandi, President

KPI (Kesatuan Pelaut Indonesia)