InterManager, the international inhouse and third party shipmanagement association, has roundly condemned the continuing detention in of the Master and Chief Officer from the tanker Hebei Spirit. The 1993 built Hebei Spirit was at anchor waiting for a berth when a crane barge broke its tow in stormy weather and smashed into her side, holing three cargo tanks. About 10,500 tons of oil spilled into the sea, causing ’s largest ever oil spill. Two South Korean tug masters were jailed for their part in the incident but the two Hebei Spirit\ officers, Indian nationals Capt Jasprit Chawla and Syam Chetan, were cleared of all charges on June 23rd. However, they have since been prevented from leaving pending a retrial that is not expected to take place until early next year.
