Seafarers

Dubai intervened after e-mail from the vessel seeking for urgent help The 11-strong Indian crew aboard Samho Crown, an oil tanker stranded in Dubai waters for nearly four months, has finally heard the word of support from the Indian mission here.The Indian Consulate in Dubai intervened after one of the Indian officers on the vessel sent an e-mail seeking urgent help from the mission to release the remaining crew aboard, more than a month after their plight started getting highlighted in the media.The ship has been anchored some 15 nautical miles away from Port Rashid since January 28 after its Korean company Samho Shipping ran into rough weather following piracy attacks involving enormous ransoms on two of its ships.Of the 28 officers and crew aboard Samho Crown, which has been stranded here along with Samho Dream another supertanker belonging to the same company 21 were Indians. However, 10 of them and one citizen each of Bangladesh, Georgia and Pakistan, whose contracts had ended, were allowed to sign off after the company managed to pay their salaries for February and March during the last week of April.Since the condition of the rest of the crew remained the same without salary and...

The treaty is of increasing importance as global warming increases The leading nations with interests in the Arctic have gathered in Nuuk Greenland to sign a new Aeronautical and Maritime Search and rescue treaty governing the rescue of persons working in the frigid waters of the north.The treaty is of increasing importance as global warming increases the access of vessels trading and working in Arctic regions. Just this year a Russian icebreaker was deployed through howling winds and heavy snow to rescue icebound ships in the Sea of Okhotskwhere more than 500 seamen are trapped and several incidents involving arctic cruise vessels have been reported in the past two seasons.The nations participating in the treaty are members of the Artic Council, which include United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark, but discussions where also held with indigenous inhabitants of the region. Noticeably missing from the talks are maritime superpowers like China and India, countries without Arctic territories that would, nevertheless, make use of new Arctic shipping lanes which may soon open to vessel traffic. But the Arctic Council has not ruled out the possibility of including these nations in future discussions and will discuss at what level...

They cannot leave Bermuda until they get paid The captain and crew of a disused casino boat claim they are owed more than $28,000 in wages and say they cannot leave Bermuda until they are paid. The Niobe Corinthian, a floating offshore casino whose operators had hoped to exploit loopholes in Bermudas anti-gambling laws, has been tethered to the dock in St Davids for more than three years.But a skipper and two-man crew have remained employed to live on board and maintain the boat.The men have not been paid in full since September and say they have received no wages since January.The boat is sinking in debt and facing possible seizure and sale by the Bermuda Government.Their employers say they cannot afford to pay the men until a sale goes through or it becomes operational.The Honduran crew say they need the money now to pay urgent expenses back home.The Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) has taken up their cause and is demanding that they are paid at least 50 per cent of the wages now and the balance within 60 days.Louis Somner of the BIU said the boats operators have a duty to immediately pay the men, who have urgent financial...

Strong concern about the lack of fair treatment Representatives of Asian shipowners have expressed their strong concern about the lack of fair treatment by an increasing number of government agencies given to seafarers.The meeting of the Asian Shipowners Forum (ASF) Ship Insurance and Liability Committee (SILC) on Tuesday discussed incidents where seafarers were held hostage while the authorities carried out lengthy investigations.There were also other incidents where seafarers were held until impossibly high bail amounts were set, justified by the authorities as being commensurate with the environmental and economic damage resulting from the incident. Robert Ho, chairman of the meeting in Hong Kong, said: "It would appear that it is a lack of understanding of ship operations and a lack of respect for seafarers that seem to result in their unfair treatment when something goes wrong."The committee urges all governments to follow both the joint IMO/ILO guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident and the IMO casualty investigation code. There are currently about 587 seafarers being held hostage by pirates, a figure that is "unacceptable in this day and age", Ho said.Source: Seatrade-Asia

Seafarers win US$355,000 in wages The ITF in Denmark has helped four East European seafarers win US$355,000 in wages owed when they were abandoned without pay and food in Svendborg in 2009.The seafarers, from Lithuania and Ukraine, were left high and dry when the owner of their coaster, the Lis Weber, went bankrupt. Their wages have now been retrieved following the sale of the ship at auction. The ITF provided legal and technical assistance.Sourcwe: ITF

Changes to the administration of medical examinations The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice advising Australian seafarers, coastal pilots, and other stakeholders of changes to the administration of medical examinations leading to the issue of a Certificate of Medical Fitness.Commencing on 1 June, the administration of all AMSA medical examinations leading to the issue of a Certificate of Medical Fitness, including the booking of an appointment, will be administered by Health Services Australia.To view the Notice please click hereSource: Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Three Filipino seafarers have excelled in the global shipping industry during the International Diplomatic Conference of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Manila last week. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) awarded three Filipino seafarers who have excelled in the global shipping industry during the International Diplomatic Conference of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Manila last week.According to DOLE news, the historic event marked the first time The Outstanding Filipino Seafarers Awards (TOFSA) were conferred.The awarding ceremonies were held as the Philippines hosted IMO proceedings, which will pave the way for new and updated global standards for seafaring in the 21st century.Labor Chief Marianito D Roque emphasized that TOFSA honors all Filipino seafarers by recognizing particular seamen who have served as models through their outstanding skills, competence, and qualities, contributing to the growth and development of the Philippine maritime industry.Roque congratulated the first TOFSA awardees: Demosthenes C Quiñones, Master Mariner Abelardo M Pacheco, and Master Mariner Ricardo M Salunar.Filipino seafarers have consistently demonstrated competency and proficiency in the international maritime sector and for this reason, the Philippines has become the largest and most viable source of shipping crew around the world and the most professional, reputable, adaptable, and...

They recognise and encourage excellence in welfare facilities and services for seafarers The International Committee on Seafarers Welfare (ICSW) has launched the first International Seafarers Welfare Awards to recognise and encourage excellence in welfare facilities and services for seafarers.The awards will recognise companies, ports, welfare organisations and individuals who provide excellent welfare facilities and services to seafarers on land or at sea. They will be presented by IMO Secretary Efthimios Mitropoulos at an event in London on 1 December 2010.Roger Harris, ICSW Executive Director, said: Without seafarers we wouldnt get the essential goods and services we need to live our lives and run our economies, as shipping is responsible for transporting 95% of the worlds trade. Seafarers welfare is crucially important and thats why weve launched these awards. We need to ensure that seafarers are valued, their role recognised, and their wellbeing protected and enhanced.The ITF is supporting the awards, alongside the IMO, International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Shipping Federation (ISF), and the International Christian Maritime Association ICMA.Seafarers can make nominations directly for the seafarer centre, port and shipping company of the year awards through a dedicated website www.seafarerswelfareawards.org or by post and email. The deadline for seafarers nominations is...