Seven Chinese officers have been fined in South Africa after throwing two Tanzanian stowaways off their bulker.
The men had pleaded guilty to attempted murder at Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The Zululand Observer reported captain Cui Rongli, of the 61,000-dwt Top Grace (built 2016), were sentenced to a fine of ZAR 100,000 ($5,300), which they paid. He would have faced four years in prison if he failed to come up with the cash.
Crew members Lin Xinyong, Zou Yongxian, Tan Yian, Xie Wenbin, Xu Kun and Mu Yong were each fined ZAR 50,000, instead of being jailed for two years.
Rongli also pleaded guilty to to charges of misconduct and failing to report stowaways under the Merchant Shipping Act.
He was fined ZAR 60,000, instead of serving a year and three months in prison.
Immigration department takes over
The seven crew members have now been handed over to immigration authorities after paying the money.
The court heard Top Grace had sailed from Singapore to Durban, from where the voyage continued towards Richards Bay on 26 March.
The crew discovered Amiri Salamu, 20, and Hassani Rajabu, 30, the following day. When the stowaways refused to don face masks, they were given food and water and put into a separate room. The crew feared coronavirus infection.
The six crew members built a raft from plastic drums and plywood, gave the duo water bottles and life jackets and left them in open water with no sight of land.
The accused admitted their actions could have resulted in serious injury and even death.
The men were found washed up on a beach at the end of March in KwaZulu-Natal.
The other six seafarers were reported to be the chief officer, third officer, chief engineer, first and second engineers and bosun.
Operator Fairweather Steamship of Hong Kong told TradeWinds last week it had no further information on the incident.
The bulker is classed by Lloyd's Register and insured by the West of England protection and indemnity club.
