Mumbai: The 15 surviving Indian crew of the Marshall Islands US-flagged oil tanker MT Safesea Vishnu, which was attacked on March 12 near Khor Al Zubair Port close to Basra in Iraq, returned to Mumbai on March 20, nine days after the vessel was attacked after it ignored warnings from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The US-owned vessel, the Safesea Vishnu, came under attack after it ignored warnings and failed to comply with orders. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of the chief engineer from Kandivli, Deonandan Prasad Singh (54), serving as the Additional Chief Engineer (Superintendent) aboard the vessel, are yet to arrive as the paperwork is under process and will take a week’s time.Following the incident, all crew members abandoned the vessel and entered the water to ensure their safety. They were subsequently rescued by an STS tug operating in the vicinity. The Iraqi Coast Guard evacuated all 28 crew members, including 16 Indian nationals and 12 Filipino nationals, and transported them towards the Port of Basra. “The 15 crew survived the attack and were rescued and brought back to Mumbai three days ago after completing their travel procedures as they were without documents, which they lost in the attack,” said a DG Shipping source.The crew, after undergoing medical examination and counselling, proceeded to their hometowns. Three of them are from Mumbai. A source from DG Shipping said the crew who lost their documents in the attack have to apply for them through the channel, and it will be processed accordingly. The documents and compensation process will be completed within 3 to 6 months; till then they will be unable to sail.The crew reported a shortage of essentials aboard all stuck vessels. “Essentials are carried according to the voyage duration,” said the official.On March 18, 8 surviving crew of the Skylight attack reached Mumbai. It took 16 days for the crew to get back after they lost their passports and other documents in March 1 attack.
