On Monday a trial court in Tuticorin in south Tamil Nadu, India convicted 23 crew members aboard a detained U.S. anti-piracy vessel, under provisions of the Arms Act.
On October 12, 2013 Indian Coast Guard arrested the vessel with firearms and ammunition. The ship had 10 crew members of whom eight were Indians and two Ukrainians. Besides, the vessel had 25 security guards — six British, 14 Estonian, four Indians and one Ukrainian.
The Prosecutors pointed out that if the ship had any emergency, the Captain could have alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) seeking assistance from the Indian Coast Guard. Instead he chose to lay anchor in Indian waters and buy about 1,500 litres of fuel clandestinely with the help of agents which costed them the jail term.
Source: The Hindu
