Video: Port Authorities Charged For Endangering The Life Of A Stranded Indonesian Seafarer

Many Indonesian sailors are being accused of compelling them to board a cargo vessel in Kaohsiung port on Tuesday night despite a Chinese crew attempting to take the captain’s life, the relevant maritime officials said. He has blamed the port authority.

Per an Indonesian member of Jian Ye’s crew, a colleague from China who jumped off the vessel got drunk, returned to the Togo-flagged boat, and started threatening Indonesia’s captain with a knife.

A video by CNA reflects that a Chinese crew member has been asking a police officer who was reportedly called to the scene if he had an issue with him taking people’s lives.

Jian Ye, along with her crew members, have been held at the Kaohsiung Harbor since 24 February, when they were towed to the Kaohsiung Harbor after losing power close to the territorial waters of Taiwan.

Video Credits: William CNA / YouTube

The Maritime and Port Authority of Taiwan reportedly informed CNA police of a dispute between an Indonesian crew member and a Chinese seafarer at around 10:20 p.m. He mentioned that he had arrived at the scene to carry it.

The Chinese crew members boarded the Jian Ye on speaking to the representatives of the shipping agency that was in charge of the cargo vessel, per the Shipping and Port Authority.

When asked if the Chinese sailors had threatened the safety of the Jianye crew, the Maritime and Port Authority informed the ship’s owners for mediation, besides stepping up police patrols in that area.

Per an Indonesian Jian Ye crew member who informed CNA, the Ministry of Transport of Taiwan is compelling them to stay on the vessel until more new crew members arrive to assist them.

One of Jian Ye’s crew members from Indonesia informed CNA that his life was at risk and he had not been able to sleep since the incident involving the Chinese crew happened.

It was unclear what was preventing the crew from disembarking, and the Maritime and Port Authority, when inquired by the CNA, refused to disclose the legal basis that held the crew members on board.

The Indonesian national citizen, whose contract with the owner of Jian Ye reportedly ended on 6 September, will be permitted to depart from the country once a replacement crew member arrives from Myanmar, per the country’s Shipping and Port Authority.

The Shipping and Port Authority informed CNA that the nine Burma seafarers submitted applications for their visas to get into Taiwan and told Jianye owners to send crew via the All-China Seafarers Union of Taiwan. It further mentioned that it proposed to start the recruitment.

References: Focus Taiwan, World Akkam