MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. The arrested tanker Unity, which has been anchored off the coast of India since May with Russian sailors on board, is to be sold, a relative of one of the sailors told TASS.

"We were told that the ship is going to be sold. We’re worried that our guys will be left on board until the sale," the relative said.

She said that the sailors cannot leave the ship until they are replaced by another crew.

As TASS previously reported, citing a relative of one of the sailors, the morale and health of many crew members are cause for concern. One of the sailors was hospitalized.

India arrested the tanker Unity on May 11 as part of financial claims against the shipowner. Both companies — the plaintiff and the defendant — are registered in the UAE.

The tanker, flying a Cameroon flag, is currently anchored near the port of Paradip. The case is being heard in the High Court in the state of Odisha.