Japanese ship drops anchor in Beypore port; Malayali staff gets unexpected opportunity to visit home

Beypore: An international ship dropped anchor in Beypore port on Friday for refuelling and for stocking essentials. The halt at the port provided a rare opportunity for the only Malayali staff in the ship.

Athul Balakrishnan (26), the lone Malayali staff in the Japanese ship named ‘Sea Wave’, could visit his home in Kunnamangalam as his ship arrived at the Beypore port. He works as a seaman on the ship.   

Athul is son of Balakrishman (ex-serviceman) and Smitha Balakrishnan. He had secured a diploma in nautical science from the International Maritime Academy in Chennai in 2014.   

He started working in international ships from 2016. ‘Sea Wave’ marks his fourth stint with an international ship. Athul hardly gets an opportunity to visit home; hence Friday's incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Athul will  be on the deck on Monday as the ship will set sail for Dubai with a stock of at least 60,000 litres of fuel, 30,000 litres of water and other food items.