AL YASAT-II

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Detained bulkcarrier released

The "Al Yasat II", which had been detained by Indian Coast Guard and Marine police for suspicious role of two Pakistani crew members in illegal use of a satellite phone on sea for two days, was allowed to sail on May 4, 2017, after verification and clearance from the authorities. The vessel carrying 10,280 tonne of rock phosphate had sailed from the Gulf region and berthed in Paradip port on May 2. While it was docked in the port, Defence officials received a message that two Pakistani crew members might have used Thuraya satellite phone. There were 26 crew members in the vessel. After the Central Government imposed a ban on satellite phones over its use by terrorists, the Director-General of Shipping had issued an order prohibiting the use of Thuraya, Iridium and other satellite phones in Indian waters and directed shipping companies to instruct their crew in this regard. On being alerted by Defence officials on use of satellite phone by crew of the "Al Yasat", officials of Indian Coast Guard, Custom, Immigration, Marine Police and other departments rushed to the port and launched an investigation. However, they found that there was no ill intention of two Pakistanis in use of Thuraya phones. The crew members of the vessel had opened the WiFi from black box which was switched on for internal computer cooperation. SIM of Thuraya satellite phones was sealed. After verification and clearance from Custom officials, the vessel was allowed to sail and headed to Ruwais, ETA May 14.