When the Taiwanese fishing vessel Jiu Ying came into Port Louis in Mauritius, local officials conducted a routine inspection. They found two dead bodies in the freezer storage area. The names of the two men, of Indonesian and Chinese origin, did not appear on the official crew lists. This suggests that they were working illegally onboard. Other Indonesian members of the crew also had serious injuries. Four men, including the captain, were detained by Mauritian police.
Sixteen Indonesian crew members came to the Stella Maris Centre in Port Mauritius for help. AOS chaplain Fr Jacques-Henri David and his pastoral team received them. The Stella Maris centre, which was inaugurated in 2005, provided accommodation, food and washing facilities to the distressed crew while arrangements were made for repatriation.
The crew of the Jiu Ying with a representative of the Indonesian Embassy at the Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre |
A volunteer from the AOS pastoral team worked with the ship's agent in Mauritius to ensure that the crew received food and medical attention. Contact was made with the Indonesian Embassy in Kenya to ensure that the seafarers' rights were respected. These include payment in full, repatriation, medical treatment, insurance for the deceased and compensation for the traumatised crew.
Fr Jacques-Henri met police representatives to discuss the fate of the Jiu Ying. They reported that the ship had a new captain and could leave port. The accused men were due to appear in court. Three Indonesian crew members had to stay in Mauritius as witnesses. Fr Jacques-Henri confirmed that the ship's agent had given a signed statement agreeing to pay the cost of food and lodging.
In time of tragedy, when there are many legal and practical considerations, AOS continues to offer pastoral care: attention to the individual that is personal, human and kind.
click here for contact details of AOS in Port Louis
