The Hindu Business Line : Fate of 2 navy officers detained in S. Korea remains uncertain

“Both officers were declared innocent and acquitted of all charges by a South Korean district court in Daejeon on June 23. However, both have been prevented from leaving the country pending appeal by prosecutors.”

T.E. Raja Simhan

Chennai, Oct. 2 The fate of two Indian merchant navy officers detained in South Korea for the last 10 months on charges of ‘negligence and violating anti pollution laws’ remains uncertain despite being declared innocent by a local court.

The master of the oil tanker Hebei Spirit, Captain Jasprit Singh Chawla and the Chief Officer, Mr Syam Chetan, were detained in connection with oil spill from the ship owned by Hebei Spirit Shipping Company Ltd, Hong Kong, on December 7, 2007. The damage inflicted on the tanker by a barge, owned by Samsung Industries, resulted in the spilling of 10,500 tonnes of oil into the sea, which polluted a large extent of the South Korean coastline.

Both officers were declared innocent and acquitted of all charges by a South Korean district court in Daejeon on June 23. However, both have been prevented from leaving the country pending appeal by prosecutors, according to Capt. K. Vivekanand, President, Merchant Navy Officers Association (Madras).

The single hull oil tanker was at anchor at its port authority designated position about five miles off Taean on the west coast of South Korea laden with 2,64,000 tonnes of crude oil. While a barge carrying a floating crane weighing 3,000 tonnes was being towed it broke loose from one of the two tugs towing it. Because of high velocity winds it drifted off the South Korean coast and hit the tanker, he said.

On January 21, 2008, five people were indicted – the skippers of the barge and of the two tugs and the Hebei Spirit’s Captain and Chief Officer on charges of negligence and violating anti-pollution laws. The first stage of the appeal, a retrial in South Korea’s high court, began recently and a judgement is awaited. Depending on the outcome, prosecutors could appeal to South Korea’s Supreme Court, according to Capt. Vivekanand.

Flag march

Meanwhile, merchant navy officers and the shipping community in the city have come together to protest against the detention of the two ‘innocent’ compatriots. The association, through a flag march on October 5, will highlight the plight of the two mariners and bring public awareness about the unwarranted detention.

The association has the support of the Indian National Shipowners Association, the Foreign Owners Representatives and Shipmanagers Association and Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipmanagers and Agents.

More Stories on : Shipping/Ports | Courts/Legal Issues

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