The crew onboard a ship abandoned by its owner have been settled with their wages and sent home safely.
What happened?
The crew of the “Seccadi” have been abandoned in Ellesmere Port for a long time. The vessel was abandoned by its owners Voda Shipping based in Istanbul.
Modern slavery:
Numerous articles had pointed the modern slavery met out to its crewmembers. The crew lived in unhygienic conditions with less rations nil pay and severe depression.
Crew repatriated:
With the intervention of International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) through its Liverpool inspector Tommy Molloy, the Border Force and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, necessary action has been initiated to support the crew.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency then detained the vessel at a lay-by berth at Manisty Wharf due to appalling conditions on board for the crew.
Low wages:
The crew members had been paid just 66p per hour until the federation intervened. Maritime interests working for seafarers were described as being ‘up in arms’ over the pay and conditions allegedly being endured by the Turkish and Indian crew aboard the vessel. Some of the Indian crew were thought to have been aboard for an entire year.
Locals help crew:
Mr Molloy lodged protests with the Turkish owners and the Panama ship registry over the ‘shocking conditions’ he is said to have found with no fresh fruit, vegetables or meat on board the ship. There was a cockroach infestation in the galley. The North West Port Welfare Committee and the good people of Merseyside are rallying round and have taken it upon themselves to look after the crew’s welfare.
Fresh fruit and vegetables have been provided by the Seafarers Centre who were also ensuring they have adequate shore leave as a diversion from their plight. Others have offered cash donations to cover their basic needs.
Flight tickets issued:
The shipowner had been informed by the Border Force that if all the issues were not resolved by the end of the defined period the vessel was allowed to remain in the UK, the force would have little option but to deport.
The owners finally agreed to issue tickets to the crew members to be flown home. The owners have been found to breach many MLC Laws.
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Source: Chester Chronicle
