CHENNAI: Even as parents of the young sailor who died in Malaysia are waiting for the mortal remains of their son, it has come to light that the institute in Thoothukudi where he studied is not recognised by the Director General of Shipping.
In such a situation, criminal action should be taken against the institute immediately, said the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Chennai,
Captain JS Uppal, principal officer of MMD, told Express that the parents of Vignesh had every right to take action against the Jams Marine College, an institute unrecognised in India, but still offers admissions to gullible students who are unaware that the course is not recognised. The institute is not approved by the Director General of
Shipping, but by Central American Maritime Authority - Belize (Vide control No. 20120719, ATA 117). The college has allegedly been sending students to foreign shores illegally by asking the parents to deposit money to a bank account on a particular PAN number, without conveying it to them in writing.
Surprisingly, when officials of the college had been contacted for their reaction, they had denied having anything to do with Vignesh.
“After asking the parents to drop the plea for probe into Vignesh’s death, the college says it has nothing to do with Vignesh, perhaps because they did not relent,” said Ganapathy, who is helping the family with the paperwork to get back the mortal remains of the 19-year-old.
MMD surveyor-in-charge J Senthil Kumar refused to comment on the incident.
However, Uppal was more forthcoming in admitting that there were many such institutes mushrooming in India functioning without any recognition from the Director General of Shipping, making it tough to keep tabs on them.
“Since they are not recognised by us, we are not responsible. They have to be tried under criminal or Indian Penal Code sections,” said Director General of Shipping, Deepak Shetty, who, ironically, was unaware of the death of the Indian trainee sailor in Malaysia.
This, despite a circular from the Director General of Shipping dated April 1, 2005 directing all officials, including MMD, that any developments such as marine casualties, oil pollution, information in the newspapers or periodicals or any other developments related to the functions of DG Shipping, which may attract public attention, should be brought to the notice of the DG Shipping immediately.
The DG Shipping is the competent authority for all issues pertaining to maritime administration, safety and security of ships and seafarers, prevention of pollution of the marine environment at sea, standards of training and Certification of Seafarers (STCW) and their welfare.
“The DG Shipping can’t feign ignorance. Now that it has come to their knowledge, they have to initiate action against the institute,” said V Manoj Joy, coordinator, Sailors Helpline.
Meanwhile, doubts have been raised as to whether Vignesh possessed an Indian CDC (Continous Discharge Certificate) which is mandatory for a sailor.