With the container ship ‘Ever Given’ that had blocked the Suez Canal since March 23 wrenched free from the sandy bank by tug boats on Monday, the next big concern for its crew comprising 25 Indians is how the Suez Canal Authority will treat them. Both the Indian government and the seafarers’ organisations are concerned about the legal issues that the crew may face, including the possibility of criminal charges.
However, keeping in mind the seriousness of the damage that has been done in terms of business and money, an investigation into the matter is inevitable and chances are that it may end in some kind of charges on the crew which is entirely Indian. Captain Sanjay Prashar, member of National Shipping Board (NSB) said that it has to be ascertained as to how the giant ship ran aground. Facts can be checked by examining and listening to conversation in the ship voyage data recorder and one can come to an understanding as to what caused the mishap. The same report also suggests that the captain and some other members of the crew may be asked to stay in the same place until the investigation is comeplete.
They could be placed under house arrest until investigation is completed into the cause of the accident. The ship management, however, has not explained anything about the legal procedures the crew will have to go through.
