March 17, 2014 Letter from Beirut Harbor Master to the Head of Maritime Transport Service
Ministry of Public Works and Transport
Directorate General of Land and Maritime Transport
No: 2386/6
Date: March 17, 2014
Registration No: [illegible]/375
Addressee: Head of Maritime Transport Service
Causes of the Referral:
We would like to inform you that the ship “Rhosus” has been docked at Quay 11 for over 4 months and is carrying a hazardous substance (Ammonium Nitrate) and it was impounded by the Enforcement Department in Beirut and the Inspection Service at the ministry, and since then the ship has been berthed at Quay 11 since it is not possible to dock it outside the vicinity of the port because it is provisionally impounded. The agent was notified more than once to supply the sailors onboard with food, without any response until now. Thus, I had to supply them with some food from the ships present nearby and I notified the director general about the ship situation and about the presence of hazardous material onboard. However, it is impossible to dispose of the merchandise or put the ship outside the port. That is why we refer this report, so you provide us with the necessary guidance about the agent, how to force him to supply the sailors with food and not allow him to make them leave the ship until he ensures a replacement pursuant to the applicable laws.
Head of Beirut Port [Beirut Harbor Master]
Mohamad al-Mawla
[Signature]
March 17, 2014
Translated by Human Rights Watch