Kerala intervenes to bring home seafarer stranded in Iran

Akshay H., a seafarer from Kollam in Kerala, has found himself stranded in Iran after Pakistani port authorities reportedly confiscated passports and Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) belonging to crew members aboard the vessel Palm Marine, sources said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred when the Dubai and Iran-owned vessel docked at a Pakistani port. Despite repeated requests, the port authorities have reportedly failed to return the essential travel documents to the crew members, effectively preventing them from leaving the vessel or transiting to other countries.

The Kerala government has now initiated intervention efforts to facilitate Akshay's repatriation and secure the return of his travel documents. Officials from the state have reportedly coordinated with relevant maritime and diplomatic authorities to address the matter and ensure the seafarer's safe return home.

The detention of crew members' documents has raised concerns about maritime labour standards and the welfare of Indian seafarers working on international vessels. The case highlights the challenges faced by sailors when dealing with port state authorities, particularly in instances where procedural disputes arise.