Few from the marine fraternity including some sailing mariners gathered at Seafarers club Chennai at 9am, despite ongoing exams for seafarers.
The gathering was welcomed by Capt S Pullat as Secretary of the Guild.
The current problematic issues of piracy and criminalisation were highlighted. Capt Suresh Amirapu and a sailing Ch. Eng Swaminthan also spoke on the same lines.
Capt Amulya Singh with P&I background from London/Mumbai, visiting Chennai was welcomed with gift of a Guild cap by Vice Chairman Mohanan of Maritime Foundation.
He commented on the vexing maritime issues and suggested that insurance be taken by seafarers against possible civil & criminal prosecutions, so that when managers/owners/clubs do not provide legal aid, they will have something to fall back on.
Capt Pullat stated that Guild will take the lead in trying to find the need, interest and cost of such a cover. Capt Vijay Padmanabhan of Indian Mariners added that he will follow up and get it going.
Later during a tea session, it was reported that the GUILD had been registered as a Society under Indian Societies Act, a bank account had been opened.
It was also reported that the Guild had been succesful on restoring full day shore pass for Indian seafarers during the previous year, provided some advices to complainants through Counsels and that the GUILD had provided Expert witnesses support (Surveyor & naval architect) to Thekkady tragedy judicial enquiry commission DNV Chenai was thanked for putting GUILD in funds for pursuing such matters.
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