OCTOBER O5TH 2008 was a different sunday at chennai because all the mariners of the MNOA, chennai came together and commenced a silent march covering a distance of 5km..The objective of the march was to prove solidarity and to show that we mariners are united for a common cause i.e for  the release of capt chawla and ch.off syam chetan of M.T.HEBEI SPIRIT who are currently kept under arrest by the korean court of law...

The march was flagged off by Capt .Vivekanand at 0730 a.m. the march was from  munroe statue near island grounds to the govt guest house near chepauk.It was a well organised march which included all available mariners ashore and their families...at the completion of the march Capt vivekanand expressed to the media about the need for the swift action for the release of these inncocent victims on behalf of all mariners.      

Sir,
The victimization of Capt Chawla and chief officer Syam Chetan by the Korean court of law has pumped in profound regret and dismay among the shipping fraternity internationally.....
It is truly frustrating that the combined efforts of the shipping fraternity and the international organizations to terminate this unjust treatment against these innocent victims is still not being heard by the Korean court of law...
what should be done at this moment to haul out these innocent victims from their misery??..
Can the state declare an embargo against korea?, will all other nations support by that? Is it possible that Korean flag vessel could be abstained from calling foreign ports?
Is their a provision in the law to carry out the above questions into reality?
If affirmative, then there is a chance that seafarer voices will be heard against this type unfair treatment.
Since the essence of “fair treatment of seafarers” has been subverted by the Korean court of law, the diplomatic proceedings carried out so far by the international organizations should be taken over by war-footing efforts to get these brave sea farers united with their families at the earliest.

Capt K.Karthik
Professor - Nautical
AMET University