After Seafarer Deaths, India Sets Up Crew Dashboard, Family Liaison Officers

The Indian government has announced a series of measures to enhance the safety and support for Indian seafarers following recent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. These include the creation of an operational dashboard to track every Indian crew member on any vessel, regardless of the ship's nationality, and the appointment of a dedicated liaison officer for each seafarer killed or injured, serving as a single point of contact for their families.

The decisions were taken at an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, shortly after fresh attacks on two oil tankers carrying Indian crew on Tuesday. According to ministry sources, nine Indian seafarers have died, one is presumed dead, and seven have been injured since the onset of the West Asia crisis. There have been 29 incidents of attacks on vessels with Indian crew members, of which four involved Indian-flagged vessels and the rest foreign-flagged vessels.

The dashboard will enable real-time monitoring of Indian seafarers, while liaison officers will ensure affected families receive timely information and assistance. The government emphasized its commitment to the welfare of seafarers and is coordinating with international bodies to enhance maritime security.