Capt. R. Welgama responds to Sri Lankan Aggressor luxury yacht comments

In reference to the 10 January 2017 Daily FT article titled ‘Rough seas still rage between Merchant Shipping and new Sri Lankan Aggressor luxury yacht’, Capt. R. Welgama has sent the following response.

In reference to your article on the operation of Yacht Sri Lanka Aggressor, which appeared on Daily FT on 10 January 2017, I, Ravindranath Welgama, Ex-Master of the above mentioned Yacht Diamond Discovery wish to bring to your notice that the facts mentioned therein are a distortion of the truth.

1. Sri Lanka is a signatory to the IMO Convention (International Maritime Organisation) and therefore is obliged to ensure that all vessels operating in Sri Lanka, whether foreign or local, abide by the rules and regulations as per SOLAS ( Safety of Life at Sea).

2. The article appears to give the impression to its readers that the ministry officers are reluctant or for some other reason delaying the issuance of the Operating License, which is wrong!!

3. We in the marine field keep in our mind that safety should not be sacrificed for business and one should not expect the Ministry to allow vessels to operate only as pleasure craft as it involves the safety of lives at sea. 

4. As an Ex-Navy officer and a Master in the Merchant Navy, I possess 30 years’ sea experience as Master, and I am not a Trainee Captain. Many Officers whom I have trained are now serving as Masters in Sri Lanka coastal vessels. My appointment was approved by the owners after going through my CV forwarded by SAS, the crewing agents.

3. I am compelled to write to you because I am the only Sri Lankan Master who served as the Master of Yacht Diamond Discovery since it came into operation. I emphasise that I have never manoeuvred this yacht during my period because I was only acting as the Coordinating Officer and the story of damaging the yacht is a blatant lie!!! There is an Egyptian skipper who is doing all the manoeuvring of the yacht!! 

4. I regret to note that the reporter has not verified the facts before writing the article and also I would like to remind the owners of the vessels that one should not give misleading information to the media and also accuse Sri Lankans with no basis.