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Dismay over guilty verdict against Hebei Spirit seafarers
3 June 2009
 |  |  view larger image | | | Chief Officer Syam Chetan (left) and Captain Jasprit Chawla [photo: V Ships] | |
Seafarers’ and maritime employers’ representatives have expressed dismay over the guilty verdict against two officers of the vessel Hebei Spirit, Jasprit Singh Chawla and Chetan Syam. The criminal charges relate to an oil spill in South Korea that occurred in December 2007 when the Hebei Spiril was struck by a barge and lift.
During a meeting of the International Bargaining Forum, held in London, UK, on 20 May, delegates of the ITF and the International Maritime Employers’ Committee passed a resolution calling for the release of the Indian officers. It outlined concern that the criminal charges against them were still being upheld. The seafarers, said the statement, took all measures "in an exemplary manner" after their vessel had been hit by a barge and heavy lift, which caused the oil spillage.
The statement called on: "all concerned to express solidarity for the immediate release of these officers and appeal to the honourable court of Korea to consider the case in the right spirit and release these innocent officers and allow them to return home."
Indian and South Korean diplomatic sources have now reported that the two will be released on 11 June. The men have been held in South Korea for more than 18 months.
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