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 ā€˜Sea Wave’, could visit his home in Kunnamangalam as his ship arrived at the Beypore port. He works as a seaman on the ship. Ā Ā 

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. Ā Ā 

He started working in international ships from 2016. ā€˜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 Ā 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.

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