By G Saravanan
Published on December 23:
CHENNAI: Seafarers asked the State government, on Tuesday, to be more liberal while granting them shore pass/leave to visit their families. According to the rules, seafarers need to get permission from the immigration officer to visit the shore and they have to return to the vessel by 11 pm.
Addressing a seminar on ‘Security and the seafarer’ here, Ishwar Achanta, vice chairman of the Chennai and Ennore Port Steamer Agents Association, said, “Shore passes enabling seafarers to alight from ships to visit their families is a big issue among the seagoing community here and officials must weigh practical issues against the legislations introduced as security cover.”Achanta said the men should not be stopped from visiting their families by citing legal parameters.
Neel Nair, secretary of the Company of Master Mariners of India, (CMMI) Chennai Chapter, said, “While foreign countries never restrict seafarers’ movements on shore while the ship is anchored, the liberty is not granted to even foreign seamen in India.”
Capt Vivekanand, president of Merchant Navy Officers’ Association (MNOA), said , “A few decades ago, seafarers could stay at port for 10 to 12 days, but it has now come down to just 4-5 hours.”“If the vessel reaches the port at night, even those seafarers from Chennai are not allowed to alight, citing rules and security regulations,” he added.
The officials -- B S Yadav, DIG, Coast Guard, Ajay Thayya, Commandant, CISF, Arunachalam, Asst Director, Foreigner Regional Registration Office and P Misra, Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Dept, suggested that the issue should be taken up with the shipping ministry.
Addressing a seminar on ‘Security and the seafarer’ here, Ishwar Achanta, vice chairman of the Chennai and Ennore Port Steamer Agents Association, said, “Shore passes enabling seafarers to alight from ships to visit their families is a big issue among the seagoing community here and officials must weigh practical issues against the legislations introduced as security cover.”Achanta said the men should not be stopped from visiting their families by citing legal parameters.
Neel Nair, secretary of the Company of Master Mariners of India, (CMMI) Chennai Chapter, said, “While foreign countries never restrict seafarers’ movements on shore while the ship is anchored, the liberty is not granted to even foreign seamen in India.”
Capt Vivekanand, president of Merchant Navy Officers’ Association (MNOA), said , “A few decades ago, seafarers could stay at port for 10 to 12 days, but it has now come down to just 4-5 hours.”“If the vessel reaches the port at night, even those seafarers from Chennai are not allowed to alight, citing rules and security regulations,” he added.
The officials -- B S Yadav, DIG, Coast Guard, Ajay Thayya, Commandant, CISF, Arunachalam, Asst Director, Foreigner Regional Registration Office and P Misra, Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Dept, suggested that the issue should be taken up with the shipping ministry.
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