In a fortunate turn of events, a new crew has been assigned to take over the Indian-registered ship which has been stranded in a port for more than two years.
What happened?
The Indian-registered ship ‘Malaviya Twenty’ was impounded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, since June 2016 amid a long-running legal wrangle over non-payment of dues to its crew members.
Vessel auctioned
The impounded vessel worth between £700,000 and £800,000 – was forcibly sold at auction by the Admiralty Marshal earlier this month and was snatched by a Greek shipping firm which paid an undisclosed sum that is hoped will cover crew wages and port dues.
The MCA placed a prohibition notice on the ship after finding defects, leaving it unable to be moved from the port. The captain of the ship along with three members volunteered to stay behind and guard the vessel until a proper decision was taken.
Sailors relieved
The captain Nikesh Rastogi along with his crew members was relieved of their duties and was free to return home to India.
Four new crewmen from the ship’s unnamed Greek owners have arrived with a further 12 expected on Thursday to decide the course of action for the vessel in need of urgent repairs.
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