What Crew Members Say About Navios-Venus

In a significant development, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled in favor of releasing the bulk carrier 'Navios Venus'. This decision comes after both parties involved reached a mutual agreement for the payment of ₹70 lakh in compensation. The petitioner, P. Rajamani, a fishing boat owner, sought compensation following a collision that resulted in substantial damage to his vessel and injuries to several fishermen. He had previously requested the ship's detention, highlighting concerns that allowing the 'Navios Venus' to navigate beyond India's territorial waters would leave the injured fishermen and himself without legal recourse. Initially detained at Mumbai Port, the ship's fate changed once the two sides settled on compensation terms. The court has now directed the execution of a letter of undertaking, leading to the petition's dismissal. As of November 13, the 'Navios Venus' remains anchored at Mumbai Anchorage.

In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court has mandated the detention of the bulk carrier 'Navios Venus', following its collision with the fishing vessel 'Shijumon' off the Colachel coast on October 22, 2023. With the authorities from Shipping, Coast Guard, and Mumbai Port involved, the carrier is to remain under custody for a period of three weeks. The incident, which occurred approximately 20 miles from Colachel harbour, resulted in serious injuries to two of the 17 crew members aboard 'Shijumon'. According to submissions made by the petitioner, the 'Navios Venus' did not adhere to the operating protocols outlined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Furthermore, it was alleged that the master of the 'Navios Venus' failed to render any humanitarian assistance to those affected, opting instead to sail to the next port without offering aid.

On the evening of October 22, 2021, a maritime incident occurred involving the bulk carrier 'Navios Venus' and the Indian fishing vessel 'Shijumon' in the Laccadive Sea, situated off the coast of Tamil Nadu. The collision resulted in two out of the 17 fishermen aboard the 'Shijumon' being ejected into the water. Fortunately, these individuals were promptly rescued and transferred to the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College by a medical team from the Coast Guard Station Vizhinjam-Thiruvananthapuram. Despite sustaining damage from the incident, the 'Shijumon' successfully made its way back to its home port of Colachel under its own power. The 'Navios Venus', which initially turned back following the accident, has since resumed its journey from Singapore to Mumbai, with an expected time of arrival on October 25.