As Goa government mounts rescue effort, some seafarers say they are safer onboard

Newton Sequeira | TNN | Updated: Apr 4, 2020, 05:00 IST

Thousands of Goans are employed with major cruise firms

PANAJI: Even as the Goa government makes efforts to bring back over 8,000 seafarers, some stakeholders suggest that the offshore seamen remain safer aboard the ships which serves as a natural lock down and quarantine. Stakeholders in the industry also pointed out that on the cruise liners, the men have access to food and are also covered by health insurance, which they will lose once they leave the ship and return home.
Goan seamen association of India (GSAI) points out that the crew on board cruise vessels operated by MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises are the worst hit and required to be evacuated, while crew members on other vessels are in a better position.
The state government has already reached out to the Centre seeking help to bring back seamen stuck on cruise vessels in countries infected by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Stakeholders also point out that Goa lacks a quarantine facility large enough to isolate the crewmen once they return to Goa.
“Being a sailor, I would say if the situation on board is not so bad and manageable, then the sailors quarantined on board should stay there till the situation gets a bit normal. Travelling at this time of crisis is not recommended unless things are worse on board,” said Cuncolim resident Joel Morais who is presently stuck aboard a ship.
Thousands of Goans are employed with major cruise firms such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Viking Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Marella Cruises. These firms have home ports strewn around the world, spread out as far as the Caribbean region and Florida to Italy and Barcelona.
“They are currently safe on the ship and each ship has a doctor and medical facility. Hygiene and sanitation is at the highest level if you consider that 75% of the ships are around the US and are following the USPH standard,” said Parixit Pai Fondekar, director of Kamaxi Overseas Consultants, a recruiting firm for cruise lines. Kamaxi Overseas itself has 7,000 crew members stuck on vessels across the globe.
GSAI said that the crew members stranded in and around Brazil and Italy are those who need immediate attention. “The crew on MSC and Costa, which are in Brazil and Rome, are having a terrible time. So the government should listen to them because they are are not being taken care off. The seamen are frustrated and they should be rescued before the lockdown is lifted because after that it will become a mess,” said founder president of GSAI, Dixon Vaz.
If one takes into account India’s contribution to the cruise sector, Fondekar estimates that there are around 50,000 seamen employed with cruise liners and India will have to repatriate all stranded seamen. and not just Goans. Royal Caribbean itself employs 4,787 Indians aboard its ships.
“Some seem to not understand the situation and have created a fear and hype, and demands have been made of the Goa government. If the seafarers are brought home then do we have enough quarantine centres, and aren’t we putting our families at risk of the contagious Covid-19?” executive chef with Princess cruises, Jerry Dias said.