STATE OF LANDING VISAS IN INDIAN PORTS; A cross section of email exchanges amongst the mariners

STATE OF LANDING VISAS IN INDIAN PORTS

A cross section of email exchanges amongst the mariners

From: ‘Nafees A. Romel’ via BD Mariners [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, March 3, 2017 12:14 PM To: [email protected] Cc: ‘Quamrul Siraz’ <[email protected]> Subject: RE: [BDMariners] shore pass issues for bd Mariners in Indian port

Dear Sir,

Assalamualaikum,

Thanks for your nice email with such patient. My below reply is not to you only, it’s for all.

This happened because of inadequate skills and experience of governing body . — Not only the governing body but I believe in almost everywhere as no one being questioned or maybe they do not want to improve their skills or whatever.

Indeed shore leave is a serious issues because if there is no shore leave ,you cannot sign on or sign off from the vessel .

*** Sir, from 2010 July till 2011 May – total 10 months & 2 days sailed as 2/E onboard a watch keeping vessel (chemical tanker) – Morehead City (USA) till North part of India (48 days passage) – then to Middle east – then to Europe – I was stepping down at shore after long almost 2.5 months later. Earlier in 2007 we were allowed to go to shore at middle east but in 2010-2011 we were not allowed.

In 2001 there was no requirement for Visa at Singapore – but from 2002 you need visa.

After getting down from that vessel I also inform the seniors and concerns, but as usual – it is nothing but pillow passing game. Once you start sitting at shore on the otherside of the table, you forget many things – this is the fact.

Sir, you are an Engineer like me – you are well aware, just for example: – when you observe vibration on purifier, you stop and opened it, the initial vibration can be due to excess accumulation of sludge. If you ignore, then the excess vibration will damage the bearings of your vertical shaft.

Our shore leave cancellation (Since I joined this profession) started from Singapore, then Middle east, India, Pakistan (As far as I am aware) – when it was initially stopped – the concern did not take any action (May be the Foreign ministry or the concern Embassy / Consulate) – II also tried it in same manner much earlier not through this group but talking on the phone and conveying the issues physically when I met them. There is no harm in trying.

Then answer me how cadets will be employed in ship in Indian ports.

*** Sir why the Indian ports only, why not middle east or Singapore? Company like Wallem & MISC do the Sign off formalities in Indian ports which cost a bit more for Bangladeshi seafarer (Definitely it is not positive side for us).

Still I remember – after signing off after my first contract as C/E in Singapore, spending the money from my own pocket I took the crewing manager for dinner and said – why don’t take junior officers from Bangladesh, what you are paying to the Indonesians and Chinese – they will also work with same salary (2013 April) and they are far far better trained – his answer was “Chief we can take the pain of Visa for senior officers, we will not take the pain for visa for junior officers and you are well aware that all of our vessels are coming to Singapore every month”

I solely agree with what you said. I just expressed my views out of frustration looking at the present situation for which we are responsible (Visa & Unemployment), and I can guess the consequences which is far far worse than present condition if we continue to sail what the concern is not bothered at all which is clearly proved in their past acts.

I feel really bad when I think, our seniors upto 25th batch made a very good reputation in the shipping world, for which now we are able to sail on senior ranks in foreign companies at this age. And now, we see – we are losing the market for various complicacies created by us (Definitely Bangladeshi Nationals – not only people from our sector).

Sir, we can sit for a coffee once I come back for prolong discussion and can exchange of our views (positive & negative). As well, I found you quite reasonable though we never met – let’s see, whether we can sort out something for our younger unemployed brothers & sisters who were trained for this profession without any self interest.

Thanks & Regards

Nafees A. Romel (35th)

Chief Engineer

MTM North Sound

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Majidul Islam Sent: Friday, March 3, 2017 7:32 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BDMariners] shore pass issues for bd Mariners in Indian port

Dear All,

Assalamualaikum.

I have some recent experience of Indian ports, specially tanker ports in Gujarat.

It is a plight for seafarers of certain countries (mostly neighboring countries of India) to join a ship that regularly touches Indian tanker terminals in Gujarat. Seafarers from Bangladesh, Pakistan and China can not land in Gujarat ports, not even on humanitarian grounds (like medical emergency). I tried it myself; they allowed me to see a doctor but did not allow to sign-off. Agent told that to facilitate my sign-off Gujarat state assembly need to amend certain legislation.

In my company, a third engineer from Bangladesh was languishing on-board for more than eight months with hemorrhoid bleeding. The tanker vessel was trading between India and Middle East. He was denied disembarkation even on medical ground from both the sides of Arabian Sea. Indian part is a long history, but Middle East part is very erratic, one after another middle eastern countries denying disembarkation of Bangladesh seafarers. Finally, when things got too serious one of the company high official who is Indian origin used his links in Indianan immigration coupled with bribe to manage an exception for this seafarer in distress. My company is not recruiting anymore from Bangladesh due to visa issue, few existing are still serving with zipped mouth regarding in-time sign on/off.

I saw in news portal that Indian high commission has opened office in Dhaka cantonment to facilitate easy visa and other assistance (like providing sim cards) for army officers and their families. At the same time, they are treating our seafarers like terrorists. I agree with the notion that if Bangladesh seafarers are not allowed to land in Indian ports, same should be applicable for Indian seafarers in Bangladeshi ports. I firmly believe that only reciprocal action would be the fastest way to resolve this issue, pleading with Indians won’t.

I concur with Razzak Bhai that visa issue is one of our main problem, probably number one problem. Indian junior officers are too suffering from employment crunch, India also have produced too many cadets in recent years. Yet they get more employment because unlike us they are not barred from most of the major shipping ports.

The only question is, do our government care? We probably know the answer.

We have seen dire efforts by Singapore community to lift the on arrival visa ban on Bangladeshi seafarers. But it didn’t succeed. Did the effort receive enough government support? Probably not. I can cite a story from one of my friend in Singapore who heard from a Singaporean why their government is so pissed off with Bangladesh. Their resentment is quite justified, if president of Bangladesh can visit Singapore every couple of months for medical check up then why Bangladesh government failed to send an appropriate state representative at the funeral of their father of the nation while most of the world leaders attended that funeral? It’s been almost four years now Bangladesh seafarers are not granted visa for UAE. There is sheer lack of commitment from government part on upholding the image of the country to the outside world. We, the citizens of Bangladesh too have our fair share of contribution in this ill reputation.

Only hope is that we still haven’t given up hope.

Thanks!

Majidul (27E)

Melbourne.

On Fri, Mar 3, 2017 at 4:38 PM, ‘Razzak Syed’ via BD Mariners <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear Br. Kalam,

AWRB. Thank you for raising the concern. Most of the nation treats seamen compassionately. Unfortunately, Indian government doesn’t.

My personal recommendation is, our officers union n Seaman’s union should take an initiative to collect electronic signatures from all Bangladeshi seafarers to write a petition to Indian High Commission in Dhaka and same to be copied to Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ITF, IMO- Seamen’s welfare department and any other international organisation you know off.

Unfortunately, currently Bangladesh government is under tremendous pressure from Indian government to sign the new defence treaty which reported to be ‘Bangladesh Army must take consent from Delhi before purchasing any arms and ammunition’, if that’s the case, then Bangladesh will be another Sikkim. Anyway, it’s a political issue.

We must raise our concerns for international attention in all aspects against the Indian oppression.

I believe your concern is a legitimate issue, specially when it’s comes to ‘signing on n signing off’ of crew members.

However, seamen doesn’t go shore to buy the goods only, there are situations, where love ones are in distress and they need to contact their fellow family members (Seamen). Some might not experience the situation like, when a father or mother on death bed, wants to hear his son’s voice or vice versa, but I did and I know how painful it is.

I have noticed, some fellow mariners condemning your concern, they might be ignorant or Indian Dalaal.

Everyone has the rights to raise their concerns for legitimate reasons and none should condemn or try to oppress others.

May Allah(SWT) give courage n strength to protect the sovereignty of our nation.

Once again, thank you for raising your voice.

Wassaalam  Capt. Razzak A. Syed

For Australian Marine Surveys

Mobile: 61-413 611 764

Visit our website for details: www.amsmelbourne.com.au

Sent from my iPhone

On 3 Mar 2017, at 2:27 pm, ‘Md.Hasan Ifteklhar’ via BD Mariners <[email protected]> wrote:

This calls for immediate intervention from our  Government to remove such restrictions for BD Mariners in Indian Ports. For DIGNITY,guess tit for tat is the best approach if amicable solution is not reached.we have nothing to loose here rather gain/establish the DIGNITY of our Mariners.

Iftekhar( 24N)

From: FR CHOWDHURY <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Friday, March 3, 2017 2:47 AM Subject: Re: [BDMariners] shore pass issues for bd Mariners in Indian port

India is supposed to be our best friend and this is how they treat us. Bangladesh Ministry of Shipping must take up this matter immediately through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is not acceptable. Fazlur 1(N) —-Original message—- From : [email protected] Date : 02/03/2017 – 15:19 (GMTST) To : [email protected] Cc : [email protected] Subject : [BDMariners] shore pass issues for bd Mariners in Indian port Dear all fellow Mariners around the globe, Assalmulaikum, Good day ! I would like to draw attention of all bd mariners to this serious issues that bd seaman is not allowed to go ashore in almost all indian major ports like Mumbai,Guzrat,Vizak,Goa,paradip and all other ports.Whereas in Bangladesh any Indian seaman is allowed to go ashore from Ctg anchorage or Ctg port or Mongla port and we all aware that from Ctg anchorage any-seamen from any vessel used to go out very easily to Ctg city without any restrictions.I think there is no restricted immigration check point in Ctg sea beach area that are engaged in security  inspection for sea men from ships from anchorages.But we have to agree that there is improper security measures in Ctg sea beach area which can bring disaster like Gulshsn holy artisan terrorist attack by unidentified miscreants. At the same time I am not against the security measures of India which has been implemented in their ports.Thats’s definitely good one. I request to all  of my fellow Mariners around the globe no matter where we are -either on land or at sea to bring this issues to ministry of  foreign affairs to find out a  peaceful solution. Bangladeshi sea -men should be allowed to go ashore in Indian ports without any restrictions as Indian sea-men is allowed to go ashore in BD ports. I want to add here that we should not be amalgamated with the Pakistani! Kindly do the needful from your end. Kind regds, Kalam 30 E