Marine Police to bring out facts on ship with arms:Coast Guard

The Tamil Nadu Marine Police will bring out all facts about MV Seaman Guard Ohio, the ship carrying arms, now berthed in Tuticorin Port and proceed further if needed, a top Coast Guard official said today.

"Based on preliminary investigation, we have requested the marine police (Tuticorin) to take over the case for further investigation and to establish the facts of the case and proceed further if need be," Inspector General and Commander, Coast Guard (Region East) Satya Prakash Sharma told PTI here.

Asked if ship authorities had provided documents to show that they were duly authorised to carry arms and ammunition, he said, "It is a fact that needs to be established."

On restrictions on movement of armed guards and crew members, he said there would be "customs and immigration issues." The crew and guards are now on board the vessel.

Asked if it was true that the ship was offering "maritime security solutions" as claimed by it, the official said, "Apparently so...but not yet established."

The ship was also sighted off Kochi on August 28, he said.

The vessel was detained by the Coast Guard off Tuticorin coast yesterday.

It was intercepted about 15 nautical miles east of Tuticorin by a Coast Guard ship after ICG received information that the vesssel carrying arms and guards was off Tuticorin coast. It was later escorted to Tuticorin harbour.

The ship has 10 crew members, comprising two Ukranians and eight Indians. The vessel also has 25 security guards (6 British, 14 Estonian, 1 Ukranian and 4 Indians).