From Our Correspondent, Dhaka: After a long two-month ordeal following the sinking of the cargo ship ‘MV Sealloyd Arc’ in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand, 15 Bangladeshi sailors are finally returning home. Following extensive legal and official procedures involving insurance companies and Thai authorities, they have been granted permission to repatriate.
The sailors are scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon via an IndiGo Airlines flight connecting through Mumbai.
A Struggle for Survival
According to Singapore-based owners, Sealloyd Shipping Lines, the primary challenge was survival when the vessel began to sink on February 7. The situation was so dire that the crew could save nothing but the clothes they were wearing. However, demonstrating immense courage, the ship’s Captain managed to board the lifeboat with a bag containing essential documents and records. Since arriving at the Phuket coast, their humanitarian needs, including accommodation, food, and clothing, have been managed by the authorities.
Support from Owners and Agents
Despite being stranded on foreign soil, the sailors did not face financial hardship. Sealloyd Shipping Lines regularly deposited their salaries into their bank accounts. Their local agent in Bangladesh, Naaf Marine Services, handled not only the official formalities but also provided significant humanitarian support. During Eid-ul-Fitr, while the sailors were stranded in Phuket, Naaf Marine Services delivered traditional food items and new clothes to their families in Bangladesh.
Investigation and Repatriation
Captain Md. Salah Uddin Chowdhury, CEO of Naaf Marine Services, stated that a lengthy investigation by Thai authorities and international insurance representatives into the cause of the accident has recently concluded. After verifying all documentation, clearance was issued for the 15 sailors. However, the Captain remains in Thailand to finalize the ultimate investigation reports and is expected to return in about a week.
Current Status and Environmental Situation
The vessel remains submerged at a depth of 61 meters (approximately 200 feet) in the Andaman Sea, about 3-5 nautical miles off Promthep Cape, Phuket. While oil slicks were reported in late February, the Thai Navy and environmental authorities used dispersants and barriers to control the pollution. Cleanup operations were also conducted on the beaches of nearby Racha Islands. The site has been marked with warning buoys as the ship’s mast remains close to the water’s surface, posing a hazard to navigation.
Relatives and shipping agent representatives are expected to gather at the airport to welcome the returning “remittance warriors” as they leave behind the trauma of the maritime disaster.
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