‘Proper govt representation will bear fruit’

Preetha Shyam, the wife of chief  officer Chetan Shyam of MT Hebei Spirit, has just returned to the city from South Korea to get her visa renewed. Chetan and captain Jasprit Chawla are currently imprisoned in South Korea after their conviction in a case involving the leakage of 10,800 tonnes of crude oil into the sea, after a decision to exonerate them was reversed. The external affairs ministry must issue a strong message to the Korean government to get them freed, Preetha tells DNA.

How did you feel after the  verdict?
I was really shocked and I prayed to God to give my husband and the others the courage and strength to fight it out.

Were they ill-treated during their imprisonment?
They were handcuffed and their feet were tied with rope. Initially, they were put in a jail with hardcore criminals. After making a representation to the court, they were shifted last month to the Chungju Detention Centre. They are allowed to bathe only once a week and can walk freely for only one hour. Five family members are allowed to meet them daily, for 20 minutes.
 
How did the Indian government help you?
I met India’s ambassador to South Korea, SR Tayal, and submitted my petition.
Tayal met the Korean deputy  foreign minister and demanded humane treatment. The ministry of external affairs is in touch with the shipping ministry. Consular officers of the Indian embassy in Seoul have met the two officials.

What is your expectation from the government?
Though the Indian government has been very supportive, the external affairs ministry must issue a strong message to the Korean government. A proper representation by the government will bear fruit.

Is the shipping company helping you?
V Ship Management Company, with whom Chetan is employed, has been doing more than we could have asked. I’m receiving my husband’s full salary and perks. After acquittal by the lower court, the officers were given an apartment and a car by the company.

Is any other organisation supporting you?
The International Transport Federation (ITF) and Indian Naval Ship Ownership Association (INSA) have come out in support of both sailors because they feel the marine officers are innocent and have been illegally imprisoned.
 
What did Chetan say when he met you?
Despite his imprisonment, Chetan is in great spirits. He says he is eager to sail and will continue his career with the merchant navy. He believes that sailing is in his genes and he will not let his sea-faring spirit die down. He feels this is a temporary phase.

Case history
A South Korean court indicted five persons, including captain Jasprit Singh Chawla and chief officer Chetan Shyam, for an oil spill by MV Hebei Spirit in December 2007.

A crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy Industries and being towed by a tug, crashed into the anchored Hebei Spirit, which was carrying 260,000 tonnes of crude oil. The incident occurred near port Daesan. The barge was floating free after the cable linking it to the tug snapped in the rough seas.

The case was concluded in June 2008, with not-guilty verdicts against Hebei Spirit’s captain and chief officer; and guilty verdicts against Samsung and crew. Both Chawla and Shyam were detained.

On December 10, Chawla and Shyam were sentenced to 18 months’ and eight months’ imprisonment respectively.