A serious fire on board the vessel MPV Everest has caused significant damage, with flames engulfing cargo on the deck says an article on HandyShpping.
Opposition to management in foreign hands
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has made no secret to its strong opposition to the chartering by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) of the supply ship MPV Everest, which is owned by Luxembourg-based Maritime Construction Services (MCS) and registered in the Bahamas, placing the operation’s management in foreign hands.
Reasons for opposition
The crux of the union’s argument is two-pronged, firstly that a national interest offering employment, such as the Antarctic work should essentially be held entirely within the country. Secondly that the standards aboard the incumbent vessel, employed when construction of the permanent replacement to the Aurora Australis, the RSV Nuyina, was delayed, are simply too low.
“One fire might be bad luck, but two significant fires should ring alarm bells about the AAD decision to replace the Aurora Australis, with its proven track record, with a foreign charter vessel,” Alisha Bull MUA Tasmania Deputy Branch Secretary said.
The union repeatedly warned the AAD that the use of a charter vessel, crewed by foreign seafarers that lacked the experience of the Australians who safely operated the Aurora for decades, posed a significant safety risk to the Antarctic mission.
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Source: Handyshippingguide
