What Crew Members Say About Fort

After spending over five weeks in detention in Mumbai, Captain Mohammed Fajar, 45, and his 12-member crew aboard the tug 'Svitzer Forti' have been granted conditional bail. They were arrested on May 14, 2017, for using a Thuraya satellite phone to communicate with their company outside of Indian waters, which contravenes Indian laws established following the 26/11 attacks to combat security concerns. These attacks highlighted vulnerabilities in communication systems, particularly the use of satellite phones, which were deemed difficult to intercept. The Indian Coast Guard acted on specific intelligence regarding Thuraya transmissions from an unidentified number near the coast, leading to an investigation around the 'Svitzer Forti', which was anchored approximately five miles from Mumbai port. A Coast Guard hovercraft and ship were deployed for the operation, where investigators discovered a sealed Nokia satellite transmission set complete with 15 Thuraya SIM cards. Initial interrogations revealed that Captain Fajar and his crew had no malicious intent. They were compelled to use the satellite phone due to limited communication options mid-sea, as mobile networks are virtually non-existent. Following their detention, the operating company incurred significant costs—over $3000 a day—for parking the tug at Mumbai port. The detention underscored the strict compliance required under India's Telegraph Act of 1885, which mandates obtaining a license for carrying satellite phones into the country, along with a declaration to customs detailing the device’s brand and serial numbers. After extensive questioning and an exhaustive analysis by forensic teams, which recognized the absence of illicit activity, the court allowed the vessel's release in the second week of June. Captain Fajar remains under obligation to assist in any ongoing proceedings but expressed relief at the conclusion of this challenging chapter. With a return to operational duties on the horizon, the tug ‘Svitzer Forti’ and its crew aim to continue their vital work providing essential services in maritime logistics.