AdvanFort case after effects

Is it time for ITLOS to have its mandate increased to allow crew members’ own countries to intervene on their behalf?

Seaman Guard Ohio decision raises concern for maritime security operators

by Stephen Askins

A RECENT decision of the Tuticorin Court in the Seaman Guard Ohio case in India prohibiting automatic weapons that have been altered to fire only single shots will be of concern to private maritime security operators taking weapons into Indian waters.

Seaman Guard Ohio, a floating armoury registered as a ‘utility’ boat in Sierra Leone, anchored off the Indian port of Tuticorin in early October 2013 for desperately needed fuel provisions. Having been prevented from leaving India in the interim, on January 11 the crew and security personnel on board were sentenced to five years in prison for arms offences. The criminalisation of seafarers continues.

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Source: lloydslist.com