MEGHNA PRESTIGE

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Bulk carrier stranded in Puerto Ordaz after fatal accident sent captain into custody

The 'Meghna Prestige' with 25 crew members on board has been stranded at Venezuela's Puerto Ordaz port since Jan 29, 2025, due to legal complications, with its captain Mahbubur Rahman in police custody. The captain was detained by local police after a diver was fatally struck by the propeller during an underwater inspection before the ship's departure. On Jan 12, the 'Meghna Prestige' had arrived at Boca Grande anchorage to load iron ore. The loading operation was completed on Jan 29. Under local regulations, an underwater inspection is mandatory before leaving port. The Anti-drug Authority and diving team arrived, and the captain had a meeting with them. Since the diving team leader didn't speak English, the boarding agent acted as an interpreter. Before the inspection began, some routine tasks were pending, but the diving team proceeded anyway. Meanwhile, the ship began drifting due to the wind, and the duty officer had to briefly start the engine, which led to the fatal accident. The same afternoon, the captain was taken to the police station, where a case was filed against him on Jan 30. He has been kept in a room near the station and living in very inhumane conditions since then. The shipping company has appointed two lawyers to handle the case. A Venezuelan court ordered the captain's detention for 45 days until the investigation into the incident has ended. Although the ship has enough food supplies for the next 10-15 days, it was facing a water shortage. The shipowners' P&I Club and the owner's representatives have appointed two lawyers ot resolve the situation. The owner has assigned a new captain to the ship, but with only 10-15 days of food remaining, there is still a water shortage. Upon learning of the situation of Meghna Prestige, the BMMOA contacted the IMO and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), which were now working to resolve the issue on an international level.