AsiaMiddle EastOffshoreOperations

OSV crew abandoned in Dubai highlight their plight

Eight crew stranded onboard the 1992-built OSV Topman have gone public with their plight, claiming their employers abandoned them in Dubai without pay ten months ago.

European shipping database Equasis lists the Panama-flagged Topman as owned by Bhambhani Shipping and managed by Halani Shipping from Mumbai.

The crew claim they now have very limited food and fuel onboard. They have had supplies sent over by the local branch of the Nautical Institute with reports of dramatic weight loss among crewmembers. With fuel scarce, they are now sleeping outside.

The Federal Transport Authority (FTA) of the UAE has given the Indian owner until Thursday to fix the situation or face being banned from UAE waters. The Indian consulate in Dubai is also trying to resolve the matter.

 

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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