Bail for 33 of Seaman Guard Ohio 35

MARCH 26, 2014 — The Times of India reports that Madras high court’s Madurai bench on Wednesday granted bail to 33 crew members of the anti-piracy ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio, operated by Washington, D.C., headquartered AdvanFort, that had allegedly entered Indian waters with illegal arms. It also granted bail to a man alleged to have supplied 1,500 liters of diesel to the vessel.

However, the court denied bail to ship’s captain Dudinik Valentyn and Paul David Dennish Towers. The Times of India describes Mr. Towers as the ship’s “vice captain.” He is actually the TDO (Tactical Deployment Officer) managing the security guards who are based on the ship between their deployments protecting merchant ships.

According to the bail conditions, reports The Times of India, the 33 ship members must produce surety of Rs 2 lakh each (about $3,330) and reside in Chennai and sign at Mylapore police station twice a day, at 10 am and 5 pm. The diesel supplier should produce a surety of Rs 50,000 (about $830) and sign at ‘Q’ branch police station in Tuticorin.vv