AdvanFort requests India to release all 35 crew

Says its ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio, detained in Tuticorin for the past two weeks for illegally carrying arms and ammunition, not trespassed into its territorial waters

Private US Firm AdvanFort International today requested India to release all 35 crew members of their detained ship M V Seaman Guard Ohio, saying the vessel has not trespassed into its territorial waters.

The firm whose ship and its crew have been detained Tuticorin for the past two weeks for illegally carrying arms and ammunition, in its website denied the charges against it.

AdvanFort said it had submitted a petition to the Union Government, seeking release of all the crew members.

The company claimed it was receiving support from hundreds of people worldwide, including seafarers and many unrelated to the maritime industry, demanding release of ship and crew.

Company President William H Watson had claimed in an interview that all the firearms and ammunition were used to safeguard commercial ships against piracy in high-risk areas.