Seven seafarers onboard the bulker Top Grace have pleaded guilty to the charges of attempted murder for abandoning two stowaways on a makeshift raft off the coast of South Africa.
Specifically, the Master along with the six crewmembers onboard allegedly decided to disembark the unauthorized passengers at sea. The captain of the ship also pleaded guilty to endangering life or causing injury and failure to report stowaways.
The ship left the Port of Durban on March 26 and on the following day the crew found two unknown men of Tanzanian origin on board the ship who demanded to know the ship’s destination. It is stated that as the two stowaways denied the crews’ orders to wear facemasks, in fear that they may carry COVID-19.
Moreover, it is reported that the crew members then built a raft and ordered the two stowaways in a threatening manner to go into the raft and leave the ship. The men were given lifejackets and water. The ship pulled away once they were onboard.
The two stowaways claimed that they made it to shore two days after being at sea and informed authorities, who then detained the ship in Richards Bay, where it remains berthed.
The National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa stated that “The accused admitted that their actions could have resulted in serious injury and even loss of life to the men”.
Following, the court decided to sentence the master and six crew to attempted murder for abandoning the stowaways to an uncertain fate. All seven entered guilty pleas in exchange for lighter sentences, with fines of $2,700-$5,400 each and no prison time.
