The wait for the release of Captain Glen Patrick Arouza (37), a mariner detained in Taiwan, is entering the fourth month despite promises of help by the union external affairs minister and director general of shipping.
Arouza, captain of Panama-flagged MV Tosa, and two crew members, a second officer and seaman from Bangladesh and Philippines, respectively, were detained on April 17, after their crude carrier allegedly collided with a Taiwanese trawler. Two persons were killed when the fishing trawler, Shingtong Cheng 86, capsized.
Following this incident, Taiwanese marine police escorted MV Tosa to the port of Hua Lien. The vessel is owned by Nippon Yusen Kaisha and managed by Singapore-based NYK Shipmanagement. An agent of NYK in Mangalore said that the shipping firm is trying for the release of its men.
According to Arouza’s family, the young captain visited them during Christmas last year. His wife Preeta Arouza said that the family had submitted several representations to the government to secure the release of Glen. “I have full confidence in the central government that they are doing their best,” she said, adding that the Taiwanese authorities were holding him back despite telling her that he was innocent.
“I met union external affairs minister SM Krishna on July 22, and he has assured me of all help to secure his release. I have met Director General of Shipping Lakshmi Venkatachalam, who also said she will try her best to secure his release,” Preeta added.
An office bearer of the Maritime Union of India said over the phone from Mumbai that the organisation has also appealed to the international union of mariners, of which Glen is a member.
Additionally, the Union has also made repeated appeals to the International Transport Organisation.
Collision ruled outTaiwan’s claim that the MV Tosa, sailing from South Korea to Singapore, had collided with a trawler has been questioned. An inspection of hulls ruled out the collision.
Taiwan later claimed that the trawler capsized due to the wake of the Tosa. However, the trawler was most unlikely to be affected by the wake if it was seaworthy.
The Hong Kong Shipowners Association, meanwhile, sought the immediate release of Arouza and others.
