Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair, April 24: The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) today informed the Shipping Services that according to an order of Ministry of Shipping all Mainland-Island vessels of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are directed to sail for Western Coast of India. Following this as of now MV Nancowry is being made ready to sail for Western Coast. As of know the Vessel is on standby.
The reason behind such order is not yet clear yet. The phone Number of Deputy Director of Shipping Services of Andaman was not available for a comment in this regard. It is also not clear whether the ships will be sent to Gujarat or Mumbai Port.
The sudden order by the authorities of the Shipping Corporation of India has shocked the family members of the seamen’s and officer’s working in MV Nancowry vessel.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha over the phone, a crew member of the ship said that they don’t have any issue to sail but because they were already in quarantine in the ship for a month, they don’t have personal essential commodities to take care of themselves.
Not only this, the crew members also added that there is an acute shortage of water, vegetables in the ship, and in this situation sudden announcement to sailing may add to their woes during the voyage.
Andaman Sheekha has learned that the crew members of MV Nancowry have also given a requisition to the DSS for the personal essential commodities they require.
Worried family members of the crews have also contacted Andaman Sheekha and said that none of the crew members in the ship has provided with Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) to stay away from the virus and neither they have been given any special training to handle the patients affected with COVID-19, hence, they requested both SCI and DSS that in such situation they must not be allowed to sail.
It is also learned that MV Swaraj Dweep currently berthed in Kolkata has also got instructions from the SCI to leave for Western Coast.
Presently MV Nicobar is waiting for a fitness certification at Chennai, which might also sail for western coast if fitness certificate is obtained.
However, an unconfirmed source in Shipping Services told Andaman Sheekha that temporary suspension of this sailing programme might also reach by night but till last report poured it there was no confirmation in this regard and MV Nancowry was made ready to sail but as of know the vessel is on standby.
