Ship detention: Britain seeks consular access to its nationals

Britain, whose six nationals are among the arrested crew of a ship detained in Tamil Nadu, on Friday, sought consular access to them while having questions about the reasons for the action against them.

"We have written to the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) to request consular access to the British nationals," UK High Commission spokesperson Marcus Winsley said hours after 33 crew members of the ship, including six of its nationals, were arrested.

The crew members of 'M V Seaman Guard Ohio', owned by an American firm and carrying flag of Sierra Leone, were arrested on charges of carrying arms and ammunition without proper authorisation.

The spokesperson said the High Commission is in "active consultation" with local authorities to secure access and "understand in what situation and on what grounds they were held".

He said the government has formally not told the Mission about the reasons for the arrest. "We await that communication," he said.

The spokesman said the High Commission also expects briefing by the police on the charges.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh justified the detention of the ship and the arrest of its crew.

"The vessel is owned by an American company but has the flag of Sierra Leone. It was stopped by the Coast Guard in consideration of issues like it was carrying arms, ammunition and armed guards without necessary authorisation," she said.

The action has been taken under the Arms Act and the Essential Commodities Act, she told reporters.

The crew members were arrested by Tamil Nadu Police which claimed to have seized 35 arms and about 5,680 rounds of ammunition from the vessel that was impounded on October 12.

Thirty-three of the 35 members on board the vessel were taken to Muthiahpuram Police Station this morning and questioned after which police completed legal formalities to effect their arrest.

Police said the two crew members have been permitted to stay on board the vessel to carry out maintenance of the ship till further arrangements were made and they would also be arrested.