An American ship makes a port visit in Estonia and members of the crew go ashore one evening.
During the evening a number of crew members leave a bar to make their way back to the ship.
Suddenly a car pulls up alongside one member of this group who had fallen behind, two men get out and force the crew member into the back of the car which drives away at speed.
The ship was in port involved in legitimate but sensitive activities, '9/11' had been a recent event and there was genuine concern for the safety of the crew member.
Several hours later the crew member reappeared back of the ship, badly shaken.
It transpired that the two men in the car that had stopped the crew member were plain clothes police officers. There had been an earlier incident and as a result of mistaken identity had detained the crew member.
Not only had the plain clothes police officers failed to identify themselves at the time they stopped the crew member but at the police station he was taken to he was assaulted, his wallet stolen.
As a result Securewest International was contacted and an investigation team sent to Estonia.
Under difficult conditions a thorough investigation was completed, a report sent to the United States government responsible for the ship, a formal complaint made to the Estonian authorities through the seaman's embassy in that country.
The view taken by those who requested Securewest International to conduct the enquiry was that it is important that seafarer's rights and safety are protected in everyone's interests.
Case Studies