Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Oct 15: The Andaman and Nicobar Unit of National Union of Seafarers of India (NSUI) has pointed out that the Directorate of Shipping Services has reduced Manning leading to serious threat to safety and life of Ship, Officers and Crew members onboard.
In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor, Mr. Dharmender Ram, branch representative, NSUI added that the Director of Shipping Services has reduced the normal manning of Officers and Crew onboard vessels of A & N Administration namely MV Rangat, MV Hut Bay, MV Baratang & MV Onge.
“As per the Minimum Safe Manning Documents issued by the Director General of Shipping (Mumbai), issued under SOLAS Regulation (Safety of Life at Sea) for the said vesself, there should be a minimum of 3 Navigational Officer, 3 Engineer Officers, 3 Deck Rating (With Watchkeeping Certificate), 2 Deck Rating (Normal Certificates), 1 Deck Utility Hand, 1 Engine Room Rating (With Watch Keeping Certificate) and 1 cook,” the letter added.
Mr. Dharmender Ram pointed out in his letter that in the said reduced manning, from 3 Navigational Officers it has been reduced to 1 Deck Side Officer & from 3 Engineer Officer to 1 Second Engineer. Further, from Crew section manning has been reduced to 1 DUH and 1 Engine Rating only.
“That, on enquiring the same with Shri.R.D.Tripathi (Chief Port Administrator) as Director of Shipping Services on Temporary charge, we were informed that this reduced manning has been done in pursuance of MS Notice No.06 of 2016, dated 22.06.2016 issued by the Deputy Nautical Officer to the Govt of India. Whereas, it has been observed that in pursuance of the said notice, there are plenty of compliances need to be met and also after short manning, there are frequent inspections and further measures need to be adopted,” he added in his letter.
NSUI claimed that such act has put the vessel (costing more than 15 Crores), priceless environment and life of personals onboard in serious danger and threat for life time.
“That, this decision / arrangement of Short / reduced manning will never help in improving the condition of the said vessels or bringing them into operational shape. But has given life term damage to vessel condition and safety,” he mentioned.
The NSUI demanded urgent intervention of the Lt. Governor or, According to Mr. Dharmender Ram, the Union will take legal action in this issue.
