News

16 January 2009

“Hebei Spirit” Master and Chief Officer convictions and bail applications

The Group has been closely monitoring developments in relation to the prosecutions in Korea of the Master and Chief Officer of the VLCC “Hebei Spirit” arising out of the oil pollution resulting from the collision of the crane barge Samsung No.1 with the anchored “ Hebei Spirit “ off Taean-gun, Republic of Korea on 7 December 2007. In common with international Seafarer and Shipowner organisations and many States, the Group has considerable concerns regarding the pre-trial detention of the two seafarers and the subsequent grounds for their conviction and imprisonment by the Korean Court of Appeal. The Group has written to the Korean government variously expressing its concerns and supporting the bail applications of the two officers which have now been acceded to by the Supreme Court. The Group will continue to monitor the developments in relation to the appeals to the Supreme Court against the convictions and to make appropriate representations to the Korean authorities.

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