Taean oil spill tanker crew released on bail

The two Indian seamen jailed for involvement in the Taean oil spill were given bail yesterday pending an appeal.

Capt. Jasprit Chawla and chief officer Syam Chetan were in charge of the Hebei Spirit, an oil tanker that leaked 10,800 tons of oil off the west coast when an out of control Samsung-owned barge slammed into it.

An appeals court sentenced Chawla to 18 months and Chetan to 8 months on Dec. 10 for failing to do enough to prevent and limit the oil spill.

A lower court had cleared the two men in July.

There was concern about Chawla`s health. He had been living off rice and water since his internment, as he could not eat the food provided for religious reasons.

"It is very welcome news," said Capt. Sharad Saldanha of V.Ships, the company that manages the tanker. "After so many days we are finally seeing some light."

No date has yet been set for the appeal.

By Paul Kerry



(paulkerry@heraldm.com)