The Bombay High Court has directed the state government to make all necessary arrangements for supplying food and potable water to nearly 50 crew members of three vessels that were intercepted on February 9 by the Indian Coast Guard and later placed under arrest by the Yellow Gate police over illegal fuel oil and bitumen transfers.
Court Hearing
Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Hiten Venegavkar on Wednesday heard a petition by seven crew members of motor tankers Asphalt, Stellar, and Al Jafzia, currently in the Arabian Sea, about 11 nautical miles from Mumbai. The petition stated that the owners have abandoned the vessels and deserted the crew, and the available stock of food and potable water is depleting.
Urging for their release, advocate Padmavati Vaishya said, "They are cooking with sea water... There is no electricity."
Coast Guard's Response
Indian Coast Guard's advocate Jitendra Mishra said it is ensuring the crew are routinely examined and provided treatment. "We would expect the same to be continued," the judges said. Mishra added that the vessels cannot be kept unmanned due to safety concerns including environmental hazard, and two vessels are "unseaworthy."
Court's Directions
The judges then "called upon the director general of shipping to carry out valuation of the vessels." They said the expenditure regarding supply of food, portable water, medicines, and all other civil amenities "would also be added" to the valuation.
The High Court directed the state to serve notice to the owners to ensure their presence on May 4. If they do not appear, the High Court would be constrained to order the vessels to be taken to Alang Ship Breaking Yard in Gujarat, "after releasing the crew members, and retained there until further orders," the bench said.
