The number of seafarers facing criminal
charges is certainly increasing. According to Seafarer's Rights
International (SRI), the numbers of maritime criminal incidents and
of detained seafarers increased for the 12 year period from
2000-2011. The study was based on a review of such incidents as
reported in Lloyd's List, Tradewinds and Fairplay wherein 415
incidents were reported during said period involving 1,580 seafarers.
A survey was also conducted by SRI during a 12 month period (2011-
2012) involving 3,480 seafarers which was conducted in eight
languages and received responses from 18 countries and 68 different
nationalities. The survey results are as follows: 8% - faced
criminal charges; 4% - witnesses in criminal prosecutions; 33% - knew
of colleagues who faced charges; 24% of masters in said survey faced
charges; 44% - were bodily searched; 87% - did not have legal
representation; 91% - were not provided interpretation services; 89%
- said their rights were not properly explained to them; 80% who
faced charges felt intimidated or threatened; 81% who faced charges
said they were not treated fairly. Guilty or innocent, seafarers are
entitled to due process under any legal system. This is a very
serious concern which should be addressed by the entire maritime
industry in order to protect seafarers worldwide.
Eduardo R. Meneses Jr.
(ermlaw@yahoo.com)
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