The health of the 18 crew members of the Indian merchant ship Maharshi Vamadeva, detained at the Fujairah port in the United Arab Emirates since last June, is deteriorating fast with rapid weight loss, high stress and multiple ailments, says the captain of the ship.
Maharshi Vamadeva, a gas carrier, was detained by Fujairah port authorities for alleged non-payment of dues by ship owner Varun Global, a company under liquidation due to bankruptcy.
The crew members have limited access to essentials like food and water and have not been paid their full wages, master of the vessel Captain Kumar Krishna told PTI over mail and WhatsApp from Fujairah.
The present batch, managed by Gurgaon-based Darya Shipping Agency, joined the vessel in February this year after the initial crew was evacuated following protests, he said.
Two days ago, Electrical Officer Jitendra Kumar Pandey was evacuated on medical grounds after severe chest pain on June 4.
The 44-year-old from Ratsar Ballia in Uttar Pradesh was admitted to the Fujairah Port Medical Centre.
The medical report, a copy of which is available with PTI, says, "On 5-6-2018: He complains of left-sided chest pain with increase in severity since today morning. Repeat ECG shows new changes suggestive of Ischemia. He is started on antiplatelet, IV heparin, statin and other supportive care."
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