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16 Indian crew members refused high-risk Hormuz transit amid pressure from ship operators
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has raised an urgent safety concern over the 16 Indian crew members of the 'AM Pioneer', alleging that the ship’s owners and managers were pressuring them to sail through the Strait of Hormuz. The maritime union said the crew had clearly refused to enter the area because of the risks posed by the ongoing regional conflict. The union accused the vessel’s operators of putting commercial considerations ahead of the safety of the seafarers. The union also said the crew would not sail under dark conditions with communications switched off, and called for their immediate repatriation with full wages and dues. Captain Anil Raj, the Master of the 'AM Pioneer', said the vessel had arrived at Ras Al Khaimah Port for a routine survey. The crew was subsequently instructed to proceed through the Strait of Hormuz. Raj said the company had initially told the crew that they would cross the Strait of Hormuz to India when the waterway was open to ships and considered safe to navigate. The situation changed last week, when the company began pushing the vessel to cross Hormuz and go to Fujairah. “The company is putting the blame on me,” Raj said, adding that he was being accused of misleading the crew and officers against the company. Raj also said the company had tried to arrange security for the vessel and had asked the Americans for air support to help it pass through Hormuz. FSUI has called on the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Directorate General of Shipping to take action to protect the 16 Indian nationals. The union was also seeking their immediate repatriation along with full wages and contractual dues. Report with video: https://www.marineinsight.com/sos-video-16-indian-sailors-accuse-owners-of-pressuring-crew-to-transit-strait-of-hormuz/
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