Ship episode: FIR against foreign merchant vessel crew

MUMBAI: An FIR was on Monday registered against the captain and crew members of a foreign merchant vessel after an unmanned ship being towed away by it to Gujarat from Colombo drifted closer to the Mumbai coast as it broke free of its tug, police said.

All 15 foreign nationals onboard 'MV Seabulk Plover' were booked under IPC Sections 280 (rash navigation of vessel) and 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), said CG Naik, a police official with Yellow Gate Police Station.

On Saturday, the foreign unmanned ship 'MV Wisdom', which was being towed away by 'Seabulk Plover' to Alang shipbreaking yard in Gujarat, lost its tow due to rough weather and drifted close to the Mumbai coast.

`MV Wisdom', which was to be dismantled, is now grounded off Juhu beach, barely 400 metres from the coastline.

"Seabulk has been anchored at the Mumbai coast and we will soon question the crew members," Naik said.

Source: Times of India. 13 June 2011

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Ship-episode-FIR-against-foreign-merchant-vessel-crew/articleshow/8841268.cms