Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G. K. Vasan, informed Mr. Shantaram Naik, MP, in Rajya Sabha on tuesday, in a written reply that between the years 2007 till June, 2009, there were 128 deaths of seafarers working on ships. Giving further details Mr. Vasan said out of 70 deaths in 2007, 49 were accidental, 5 cases of homicide/suicide and 16 cases of natural death.
In the year 2008, out of 36 deaths, 20 were accidental, 1 was homicide /suicide and 15 were natural deaths. Out of 22 seafarers who died till June, 2009, 6 case were accidental, 2 were on account of homicide /suicide and 14 were natural deaths. Giving further information, Mr. Vasan said that 24 seafarers were missing and 13 were injured, in 2007, 43 were missing while 16 were injured and in the year 2008, and that there were 10 cases of missing seafarers and 8 cases where injuries were caused to the seafarers in the year 2009 (till end of June).
The Minister further said that to protect the interest of seafarers, the Government of India has promulgated Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2005. These rules provide a mechanism of protection for Indian Seafarers working on Indian and Foreign Flag vessels and necessary safeguard for their repatriation in the event of their being stranded, or during such other exigencies when the ship owner fails to discharge the duty of repatriating the seafarers.
Mr. Vasan further informed Mr. Naik that the grant of payment of compensation to the victims/heirs of deceased is governed by the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between seafarers and employers and also the requirements of the concerned flag administration of the vessel where the Indian seafarer has chosen to take employment.
The Minister further said that in the wake of an unfortunate eventuality of injury or death, resulting from operations on board ship, Directorate General of Shipping coordinates the payment of compensation from Employer Company.
