Exploited, recognised as a slavery victim, now facing deportation: one seafarer’s UK ordeal

Vishal Sharma at home in Bradford. He was one of 35 migrant workers recognised as victims for whom justice has been elusive. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer

When Vishal Sharma, an experienced merchant seaman, arrived in London from India in November 2017, he was looking forward to a good job on a Belgian tanker, the MT Waasmunster, assisting engineers. He had a 15-month contract and a transit visa, enabling him to travel to Milford Haven in Wales, where the 174-metre vessel was anchored.

But in a last-minute change of plan, his Mumbai agent told him to head to Southwick in West Sussex, England, to board a scallop trawler, the Noordzee.