On August 12, a China-bound cargo ship found stranded with 20 Chinese crew members off the Queensland coast since July 19, and have not been paid in months.
Supplies have been delivered by helicopter to the crew of 20 stranded off Gladstone, with those involved in the operation saying the strong winds made it too dangerous to freight the supplies by boat.
The Five Stars Fujian coal ship was detained last month after sitting idle for weeks in waters near Gladstone. The ship currently holds about $40 million worth of coal.
The ITF’s Matt Purcell said 2 that the crew were running out of food and emergency supplies were being rushed to the ship.
“For the owners to abandon their crew, virtually leaving them for dead, is beyond shocking,” Mr Purcell said.
“This particular point in time the food has just been loaded onto a helicopter, which AMSA (Australian Marine Safety Authority) has had to hire because the seas are too rough”.
“That will last them until about Thursday and then we’ll have to review the situation after that.”
Mr Purcell said the ship’s owners had acted in a shameful manner.
AMSA inspectors boarded the ship once it was released to make sure arrangements were in place for the welfare of the crew and a safe voyage, however, they found there were insufficient food and wages for the 20 crew aboard.
AMSA directed the Chinese owners, based in Hong Kong, to resupply the vessel immediately and contacted the Hong Kong Marine Department, an AMSA spokesperson said.
“The Hong Kong Marine Department is addressing the deficiencies with the owners and has advised that the owners have arranged for adequate provisions to be delivered to the ship.”
AMSA initially delivered short-term provisions to the hungry crew on Friday and the Gladstone Mission to Seafarers provided further provisions on Monday.
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Reference: ABC, Brisbane Times
