Mystery around ship's entry into India deepens

KARWAR: The mystery surrounding the entry of Dubai ship `M V Shahin' into India's sea waters near Karwar heightened with Karwar port officer Capt. Swami saying that they did not receive any call from the ship's crew on entering the Indian territory. The fuel-carrying ship, after entering the sea waters near Karwar, met with an accident at an island near here recently.
Addressing a joint press meet with SP Raman Gupta here on Thursday, Capt.Swami said other ships which were moving in the vicinity at that time had contacted the port authorities. It needs to be investigated as to why they did not call Karwar port authorities, he said, adding that the crew called foreign countries, including Syria.
However, Swami said it was common for merchant ships to enter the territory of another country without informing the authorities concerned in advance. Taking objection to this, Gupta said: "According to maritime convention, it is mandatory on part of the crew members to inform the authorities before entering the borders of another country." Making it clear that civil police had no role in the episode, Gupta said he will give immigration clearance only after getting the recommendation of the port authorities. The SP said he had verified the passports of the crew members and found them to be in order.
Gupta said police wanted to interrogate the crew members of the ship but it is possible only if the ship is towed to the jetty. The SP said it is the responsibility of the Coast Guard and the Coastal Police to man the sea and civil police had no role in it.
To a query, Capt. Swami said the port authorities have not able to take individual statements of the sailors. Reacting to this, the SP said that police will conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and take statements. "The port authorities have not yet informed either the police or other security agencies on whether the entry of the ship into India's sea waters is illegal or not," he said.
Meanwhile, ship owner Mohd Kanaphonic arrived here from Dubai and met the port authorities and the SP on Thursday. But he refused to comment on the incident.