Preparations underway for possible second Tamil ship

(By TOM GODFREY, Toronto Sun Thursday, October 7, 2010)

A maritime search is underway by Canadian authorities for evidence of a second Tamil smuggling ship that is reported to be steaming to B.C. before the shipping season winds down for the winter.

Military and police officers working for Public Safety Canada are using satellites and hi-tech eavesdropping equipment to locate and pick up signals from the vessel and determine if it is ferrying migrants from Sri Lanka, sources said.

“We believe the first smuggling trip is paying for a second one,” a police source said on Thursday. “The smugglers have a window of only a couple weeks to make it to Canada.”

The man, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said stormy seas and freezing weather will make it difficult for the smugglers to stage a trip to Canada in a small vessel during the winter months.

“Since the rumoured migrant vessel heading for Canada is still in international waters, DFAIT (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade) is the lead department,” said public safety ministry spokesman David Charbonneau said by e-mail Thursday. “If, or when, the vessel reaches Canadian waters it will be Canada Border Services Agency taking the lead.”

“We are aware of these media reports and will not comment on operational details,” foreign affairs spokesman Laura Markle said.

It has been almost two months since 492 Tamil migrants arrived off the coast of B.C. on the MV Sun Sea. They have all since filed refugee claims.

About 34 of the migrants, including 23 women and 11 men, have been released from detention so far, said Melissa Anderson, of the Immigration and Refugee Board. There were about 45 children in the group.

One of the men released this week saw his week-old baby for the first time.

The man, who cannot by identified because he’s a refugee claimant, hadn’t seen his wife since the Sun Sea arrived in mid-August.

“It is the first time he will get to see or hold his daughter,” said David Poopalapillai, of the Canadian Tamil Congress. “He hasn’t seen his wife for weeks and weeks.”

Poopalapillai said three of the migrants have moved to Toronto and others will resettle here when released.

Community members have agreed to post cash bonds ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for their release, he said. The migrants are being treated well in jail but are frustrated and want to be freed.

Toronto-area Tamils said they are not aware of a second smuggling ship and would be surprised if one show up, Poopalapillai said.