Falklands : Two Jumping Ship Claim Assault
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 04.03.2008 (Article Archived on 18.03.2008)
Two Vietnamese crew from a Taiwanese Jigger have survived a swim in Stanley Harbour and claim assault on the high seas.
TWO JUMPING SHIP CLAIM ASSAULT
By J. Brock (FINN)
The Royal Falkland Islands Police received a report of two missing crew from the Taiwanese jigger, Solar No. 101 at approximately 1824hrs on Friday, 29 February 2008. According to Inspector Tom Street of the Royal Falkland Islands Police the two Vietnamese crewmen had been missing at the evening meal aboard ship and a search was launched.
He went on to say that Solar No. 101 had been in Stanley to pick up a fishing licence but departed for the high seas at 1300hrs on the day and by the time the missing crew were reported the vessel was located 100 nautical miles, presumably north, of the Falklands.
Due to poor weather conditions the Search and Rescue helicopter from Mount Pleasant was not deployed but Members of the FIDF, Royal Falkland Islands Police as well as Company launches in the harbour searched for the crewmen, who had jumped ship while the jigger was departing Stanley Harbour earlier in the day.
Following reports from members of the public the crewmen were found walking on the Bypass Road near the Agricultural Department at approximately 2057hrs. They were taken to the KEMH to undergo medical checks and put in accommodation for the night.
On Saturday the Royal Falkland Islands Police interviewed the two men who claimed they jumped ship because of an assault that took place on the high seas en route to the Falklands.
If the alleged assault had taken place in Falklands waters there would be a full investigation but the Royal Falkland Islands Police have no jurisdiction on the high seas.
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