The last four seafarers aboard a NewLead Holdings-owned panamax abandoned the ship this weekend despite efforts from the Malaysia sheriff in charge of the vessel's arrest to keep a crew aboard, according to a source familiar with the issue. The crew remains uncertain as to who is responsible for them amid three arrest warrants issued against the vessel.
The four crew members, one Greek and three Romanians, were the last aboard the 75,966-dwt Newlead Victoria (built 2002), which has been under arrest off the coast of Singapore since 26 November.
Another 12 members of the crew, including Captain Abraham Capero, left the ship at the start of last week in protest over not having been paid wages over several months. The crew claims being owed back wages of $330,000.
The ship's original arrestor, China-based ship supplier Better Marine, released the ship from arrest as of 27 December in order that German bank Portigon, which has a $26m claim on the ship, take over the arrest, according to Better Marine's Kuala Lulmpur-based solicitor.
But the crew said they have not heard from representatives of Portigon with regard to the status of unpaid wages or whether the bank is now officially in charge of the ship.
The remaining crew members landed in Malaysia in order to be repatriated and were said to be staying at a hotel. Malaysian authorities found the crew and ordered them back to the ship, but the crew refused, according to the source.
One of the crew, engineer George Plakidas, is reportedly suffering a heart ailment and has refused to return to the ship.
The ship, which is carrying 70,000 tonnes of coal, is said to have engine problems. The windlass, as well, is said to not be working correctly, causing anchor dragging.
The Liberian Registry-flagged ship is classed by NKK. Gard provides hull and machinery coverage while P&I coverage is with American Club. Flag state, class society and insurers are said to be aware of the abandonment. Efforts to reach Malaysian authorities were unsuccessful at presstime.
