— The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. —
CAMM Positions
04-01: Criminalization of Shipmasters
Position
04-01
Criminalization of Shipmasters
Arrest of seafarers after a major accident
CAMM is opposed to the growing tendency to arrest and detain Masters (and crews) following maritime incidents. The intent in many cases is a means of using pressure over ship-owners and P∓I Clubs to persuade terms of financial remedy to a Port State while holding the liberty and freedom of the innocent seaman for ransom. CAMM stands in concert with IFSMA, The International Salvage Union, The IMO, the EU’s Council of Ministers and other world bodies in disapproval of this trampling of human rights by Port States.
CAMM believes that the continuation of such practices will in fact lead to rising fears, anxiety (and possible indecision) by mariners at the most crucial times when faced with an emergency. As is the case currently in Pakistan where a Salvage Master is being held against his will since August of 2003, there is also a danger that salvors and other agencies will avoid taking salvage assignments as failure could mean fines, imprisonment or both.
CAMM reminds Port States that shipping is by far the safest, cleanest and most efficient use of energy and resources in which to transport the world’s goods. CAMM calls upon the USCG, the IMO, the ICS and other international bodies to assert the impeccable record shipping has earned and not condone the backlash of illegal actions by some Port State politicians in response to headline grabbing maritime accidents of which no industry is immune.
Finally, in an industry where recruitment of highly qualified personnel is getting more and more difficult, the false imprisonment and possible loss of one’s freedom and livelihood without trial may steer many talented individuals from deciding to make a career at sea.