Nine Chinese and Filipino seafarers will be sent home from Australia after being stuck with no leave on a general cargoship for more than 20 months in some cases.
Inspectors from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) checked the 9,000-dwt Brio Faith (built 2009) on 2 November at Port Alma in Queensland.
They verified that three crew members had been on board the Panama-flag ship for more than a year, four for over 16 months and two for more than 20 months, AMSA said.
During the inspection, Chinese operator Tianjin Shun Xin Yuan Shipping Co assured the authority, and provided evidence, that crew would be repatriated the following day.
But on 3 November, the company said those repatriation plans had fallen through and asked that the crew remain on board until the next port, Shanghai.
"AMSA did not accept this proposal due to the length of time the seafarers had already spent at sea," the AMSA said.
Notice served
It issued a direction notice prohibiting the ship from departing until all nine seafarers had been repatriated.
The whole crew were en route to Brisbane on 5 November, from where they will embark on international flights home to their families.
AMSA operations north manager Greg Witherall said the well-being of seafarers was more important now than ever.
"Seafarers are keeping the world’s international shipping industry and economy going — they are critical," he added.
"It should be every operator’s and owner’s highest priority to ensure the welfare of their seafarers and safety of their operations is maintained."
He called 20 months on board with no leave "completely unacceptable", and said it would lead to an increased risk of accidents.
The AMSA pledged to continue to enforce the Maritime Labour Convention.
The ship embarked fresh crew to meet its minimum manning requirements and left the port on the evening of 4 November.
