Please boycott Samsung and Korean products

Tabnabs

The article below is copied from this week's issue of 'Bow Wave' ( www.wavyline.com )

Keith Parsons of V Ships writes:-

Hebei Spirit

I am forwarding this message to those of my contacts that
I know will be have a keen interest in this case. I have
a particular interest myself having seen both officers
progress through the ranks from cadet to Master and C/O
with V.Ships. Both demonstrated extreme professionalism
throughout the entire episode and now find themselves in
a cold prison cell and in much need of all our support.

They have been imprisoned since Dec 10th, in addition to
the year they have been detained in Korea. We are very
keen to maintain awareness of their plight, particularly
through the Christmas and New Year holiday and do take
the time to view the youtube video (see link below) which
shows the sheer horror faced by all on board. Please
pass it on to your own contacts within the industry and
elsewhere and in turn ask them to pass it on. We are trying
to put as much pressure as we can to get these officers
released but anything you can do and any new ideas would
be most welcome.


SHOCK VERDICT- MASTER AND CHIEF OFFICER OF ANCHORED TANKER,
RAMMED BY RUNAWAY BARGE, SENT TO PRISON. WHAT CAN BE DONE?

In December 2007 a tow line between a Samsung operated tug
and a huge Samsung crane barge broke. The runaway crane barge
then rammed the anchored super tanker, the Hebei Spirit.
The tanker was holed 3 times and despite the heroic efforts
of the Master and crew, 10,000 tons of oil spilled into
the sea. Since then Samsung and the Korean prosecutors
have done everything in their power to implicate the Master
and Chief Officer of the tanker in the unfortunate accident;
Samsung in particular trying to spread the blame and the
liability for the cost of the clean up.

At a court hearing in Korea on June 24, the two Hebei Spirit
Officers were found innocent of all charges and exonerated
for all blame for the incident. Still the Korean authorities,
encouraged by Samsung, appealed the decision with the Hebei 2
still detained in Korea.

During the hearings, Samsung Heavy Industries representatives
made a number of visits to the homes of seafarers, who were
on the Hebei Spirit at the time of the accident, requesting
to talk to those concerned and offering work and leaving
behind gifts. We can only guess at their motives!

On December 10, the Korean Appeal court totally reversed the
earlier court decision and sentenced the Master, Capt Chawla
to 18 months in prison and fined him 20 million won for
failing to drag his anchor and go full astern! Chief Officer
Chetan was sentenced to 8 months in prison and fined 10 million
won for failing to call the Master earlier!

Showing a blatant disregard for the facts and the judicial
process, the Appeal Court relied almost exclusively upon
the findings of only the Korean Maritime Safety Tribunal
whose interpretation of key evidence has been questioned
by international experts and quoted as being biased and
plainly wrong.

On December 10 the two officers were lead away in handcuffs
and paraded outside the Court with Samsung’s lawyers
delighted to pander to Korean public opinion.

They have been held in filthy cells with little heating and a
hole in the floor for a toilet. Capt Chawla, a Sikh, had his
long turban and Kada removed. Very limited visits have so far
been allowed.

The Hebei Spirit Officers are innocent and need to be
released and allowed home to their loved ones. They have
already been held in Korea for more than a year and now
find themselves in prison. We need to do all that we can
to get these officers released. We can start by boycotting
anything to do with Samsung and Korean products.

Please also pass this email onto all your friends and contacts
as our collective might will overcome the Korean system.
Samsung managed to reverse the court’s decision; they can
reverse it again when they see their business being affected
and Korea’s reputation severely tarnished.

Want to know more; watch the Hebei Spirit YouTube video on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66J_MazbAfE

And add your comments to the

http://www.justiceforhebeispirit.blogspot.com

Further support
http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/2911
and
http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/2008-12-18-intermanager-members-rally-support-hebei-spirit-crew/

monosharp

In fairness the cell with the "hole in the floor" for a toilet is rather common

In restaurants, public bathrooms etc.

On the Samsung issue, yes Samsung are evil. They treat their employees like slaves (very well paid slaves, but still slaves).

Overheal

dont your trousers get in the way