The Nagapattinam Port Authority along with the Customs had cleared a mediator to ferry essential rations for the 16-member crew of Lady Alla, the Cambodian Ship, which remains illegally anchored within the Port limits here for more than a week now.
Following this, essential rations including bread, chicken and vegetables along with water to last for a fortnight was ferried by the mediator on own payment by the master of the vessel on Friday night.
According to Port Officer, Anbarasan, the clearance has been accorded on humanitarian grounds.
Earlier this week, the master of the vessel had sent an SOS call to the Port Authority seeking immediate intervention as the Ship verged on depleting rations. Following this, a joint team of Port authorities, the Customs, Coast Guard boarded the vessel to ensure that the ship steered clear on security grounds.
The Cambodian Ship ran into rough weather, a week ago, when it was denied entry into the Karaikal Port following Bombay High Court orders to the Customs to apprehend the ship on charges of outstanding fuel payments.
The ship dropped anchor illegally five miles within the Nagapattinam Port limits, causing security concerns.
The ship had been stranded there illegally, after it had run out of fuel.
