REZZAK: THE MISSING SHIP SAGA

THE MISSING SHIP SAGA
Rezzak debris recovered, claims shipping authority
Mansi Choksi I TNN

Mumbai: The deputy director-general of shipping on Friday advised family members of the crew aboard missing vessel M V Rezzak to accept monetary compensation as soon as possible as fresh evidence obtained during investigation indicated that the ship had sunk.

“Debris, believed to be that of the ship, was recovered on Thursday night around 5 nautical miles from the Turkish coast,’’ deputy director-general of shipping P H Krishnan said. Asked if there was any way to prove that the remains were those of the missing ship, Krishnan said, “The debris does not have the name of the ship inscribed on it but it is believed to belong to M V Rezzak.’’ The DGS, who said the remains were found 5 nautical miles from the coast, had earlier stated that the ship went missing around 120 nautical miles from the shore. “It’s possible that the debris drifted towards the coast,’’ said Krishnan.

But Uma Mohan, sister-in-law of the ship’s chief engineer, said, “Even fishermen go deeper than 10-15 nautical miles. How can it be that they didn’t find this evidence before even though it was so close to the coast? This is just their way to try and close the case before the upcoming Supreme Court hearing about another missing vessel, Jupiter 6.’’

DGS officials and M V Rezzak manning agent Pelican Marines also pointed out on Friday that they were not aware who owned the ship. A contract signed between the crew members and Pelican Marines stated that the owner of M V Rezzak was 2D Shipping and the operator CMR Denizcilik ve Ticaret. Both DGS and Pelican Marines were forthcoming with details of Turkey-based CMR Denizcilik ve Ticaret but said they did not have any information regarding 2D Shipping. A report from the Memorandum of Understanding Black Sea, containing information on craft going out into the sea, says the vessel belongs to a Singaporean firm, Samta ShipManagement.

“We don’t know who 2D Shipping is as we have not interacted with it. We are only in touch with CMR Denizcilik ve Ticaret,’’ said Pelican Marines director Santosh Biswas. “I believe the owner is placed in Turkey. Pelican Marines, being the manning agent of the ship, should know who it is,’’ said Krishnan. “There are different names in different places. 2D shipping is a bogus company; there is no trace of this firm, not even in the shipping association of Singapore. The owner stands to gain the most from a maritime insurance fraud. How can the authorities put their hands up like this?’’ asked Mohan.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIM&login=default
March 15, TOI