ITF calls for return of Hebei Spirit officers (8th July 2008)

Tuesday, 08 July 2008

From www.mgn.com

The ITF today appealed to the South Korean authorities to allow the two Hebei Spirit officers found innocent of causing an oil spillage to return home. Both men, backed by the ship manager V Ships, have given assurances that they will return as and when any further trial takes place, following the local prosecutors’ surprise decision to appeal against the judgement that exonerated them of involvement in the spill, which took place last December when their ship was struck by a crane barge while at anchor. Two tug captains were jailed and the crane operator fined in the same trial, which found the Hebei Spirit men Captain Jasprit Chalwa and Chief Officer Syam Chetan innocent.

ITF Maritime Coordinator Steve Cotton said: “Captain Chalwa and Chief Officer Chetan have asked to be able to go home pending what might be a wait of many, many months before any possible further hearing, which they, with V Ships’ full support, have pledged to attend. We can see no possible reason why they should not be allowed to do so.” He continued: “The ITF unequivocally condemns any attempt to avoid investigation of matters that affect safety on board or damage to the environment - but this is clearly not one of those cases. The authorities have found that these men have committed no unlawful act. Depriving them of their freedom will not further the investigation in any way and will only serve to cause them further distress.”

He concluded: “The ITF, supported by its affiliates worldwide, is committed to assist every seafarer who is unfairly criminalised and to bring his or her case to the attention of the international shipping regulatory bodies. We see no reason why these men should not return to their families, and are calling upon the Daejeon District Prosecutor’s Office to grant such permission as a matter of urgency.”