Dubai: There has been a sharp increase in cases related to problems faced by Indian crew members on the coast of Dubai and Northern Emirates, Indian diplomats here have said, admitting that they have received many SOS calls in the recent past.
The active intervention with ship owners/agents and port/immigration authorities has helped in timely resolution of more than ten such cases, according to a statement released by the Indian Consulate here.
Admitting that there has been a sharp increase in the number of distress calls received by the consulate officials here, the statement said that many stranded crew members have already been relieved and sent back home.
"Due to Consulate General of India's persuasion and intervention in the case of three ships, the stranded crew members have now been successfully relieved from the ships and sent back home," it said.
"The Consulate made simultaneous efforts to get relief as well as to look into welfare of the stranded crew. Consulate had intervened to provide immediate support to the crew with regard to the issues of air conditioning, provision of food, ration and medicines and even partial sign-off," the statement added.
The Consulate said that cases of stranded crew members involving BM-I, MT Aristo, MT Hamado, KC Silver, Noor 2, Al Hafiz, Al Amir, MV Home, Zahind 2 and MT Titan Peace have been resolved to the satisfaction of crew members.
It said that cases were mainly related to unpaid wages, shortage of provisions and arranging immediate sign off.
According to the statement, the Indian Consulate has taken up this matter with port authorities as well.
The discussion resulted in the opening of channel of communication between Consulate and the authorities with regards to the problems of stranded Indian crew members, it added.
