Fifteen Bangladeshi sailors of the ill-fated vessel MV Seaload Ark, which sank off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, have returned home on Thursday after 82 days.
The sailors arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at noon on an IndiGo Airlines flight, appearing emotional upon their return.
The ship, carrying containers bound for Bangladesh, sank in the sea on February 7 while en route from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Chattogram port. It was scheduled to reach Chattogram on February 12.
Officials said the vessel went down about four nautical miles off the Phuket coast, after which the Thai navy rescued all crew members. However, legal complications delayed their repatriation for weeks.
The return of the sailors was confirmed by Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association (BMMOA) General Secretary Md Sakhawat Hossain.
He said the return of the sailors after 82 days is a “great relief and a moment of joy,” adding that the ship’s master will remain in Thailand for a few more days for legal procedures.
According to sources, the vessel was carrying 101 forty-foot containers and 96 twenty-foot containers at the time of the incident.
The ship had departed from Port Klang on February 5 and was scheduled to arrive at Chattogram port on February 12.
BMMOA officials said they remained in continuous contact with the sailors and worked through the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to facilitate their repatriation.
They added that technical manager of the vessel, Naf Marine Services CEO Capt Md Salahuddin Chowdhury, coordinated with the Bangladesh Embassy in Thailand and the Department of Shipping to resolve legal obstacles.
The association also acknowledged the role of several international and local organisations, including the shipowners’ P&I Club, legal advisers Rajah & Tann (Thailand), and Ben Line Agencies in Phuket, for providing legal and logistical support.
Sakhawat Hossain further said the shipowners ensured accommodation, food and salary payments for the sailors during their stay in Thailand.
He also thanked Tysers, the Department of Shipping, ITF and the Bangladesh Embassy for their diplomatic efforts.
Bangladeshi seafarers are our asset and pride. Our association will always stand beside them in any crisis, he added.