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The leading protection and indemnity clubs have joined forces to add their voice to shipping industry criticism of the jailing of the master and the chief officer of the Hebei Spirit.
The International Group said it was concerned and disappointed at the South Korean appeal court ruling that the two seafarers were guilty and the lengthy jail sentences and fines that have been imposed.
Left to right Syam Chetan and Jasprit Chawla.
Jasprit Chawla, the Indian master of the 269,605-dwt tanker Hebei Spirit (built 1993) was jailed for 18 months and fined KRW 20m ($14,700) while chief officer, Syam Chetan, who is also Indian was sentenced to eught months and fined KRW 10m. The shipowning company was also fined KRW 30m
There has been widespread criticism within the shipping industry of the sentences with the move by the International Group which links the 13 clubs who co-operate in pooling claims and collectively buying reinsurance the latest.
An International Group statement noted that a lower court had exonerated the two men from blame in June and said it shared concern at the the increasing trend towards unjustified criminal prosecution of seafarers following maritime incidents.
??At a time when the world is facing a shortage of professional and qualified seafarers, such seemingly unwarranted criminalisation of the master and chief officer of an anchored VLCC, struck by a Samsung crane barge, will send deeply disturbing signals to all those considering a career at sea and to their families,?? said an International Group statement.
Criticism has also come from Intertanko, the International Transport Workers?? Federation, V Ships the manager of the Hebei Spirit and various other organisations.
??The Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers and the Code for Investigation of Maritime Casualties both provide basic standards which should apply worldwide to ensure the proper functioning of international trade and shipping in which Korea plays such an active part,?? the International Group statement continued.
??The International Group is deeply concerned that Korea??s reputation within the international community will be adversely affected by this recent decision of the Daejeon Appeal Court. The Group hopes above all that action by the relevant authorities can be taken swiftly to return the seafarers to their home and in so doing maintain the good reputation of the Republic of Korea,?? the statement added.
The Hebei Spirit, since renamed Sea Glory, is part of the fleet of Hebei Ocean Shipping and was insured by the Norwegian Skuld club for risks that included oil pollution.
The vessel??s tanks were punctured by a Samsung crane barge when its tow broke. About 9,400 tonnes of the VLCC??s cargo of 209,000 tonnes of crude were spilt in the December 2007 incident polluting 200 kilometres of shoreline. The two officers have been detained since the incident.
The Daejeon appeal court took the view that primary responsibility for the collision lay with the Samsung barge but that the Hebein Spirit was also responsible as they did immediate and proper measures were not taken to minimise the oil leak.
The skippers of the two tugs and the master of the Samsung barge have also been sent to jail and Samsung fined.
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