A Hong Kong-owned platform supply vessel (PSV) has been detained in the UK as authorities prepared to investigate conditions for crew members on board.
The 4,000-dwt Ben Nevis (built 2013) was held in Aberdeen on Monday, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed to TradeWinds.
MCA added the move was "a preventative measure in line with UK regulations, in order that a full inspection of the ship related to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) can be carried out before its intended departure. It cannot leave the port until the inspection is completed."
Welfare worries
The agency said it took the action following concerns being raised about the welfare of the crew.
Fraser Heasley, MCA assistant director survey and inspection, said: "We will always take reports around crew welfare seriously and we have used our powers as the port state control authority to carry out this detention so that we can investigate more fully."
Seafarers' union RMT said it supported the MCA's action.
General secretary Mick Cash added: "RMT warned at the start of the pandemic that seafarer welfare standards would suffer from the arrival of more ships in the North Sea with exploited crew on board.
"Operators in the oil and gas and renewables sector must improve due diligence in their supply chains to raise employment standards and increase jobs for local seafarers."
Wage claim
RMT claimed ratings on the Ben Nevis are paid a basic $6.35 per hour.
The national minimum wage has been part of UK law since 1999 and, for those aged 25 and over, is £8.72 ($11.20) per hour as of April this year.
Cash added: "It is good to see the MCA using their port state control powers to protect crew from this sort of abuse but we cannot continue to let charter parties off the hook when the illegal treatment of seafarers is exposed."
The vessel, listed as operated by Ocean Clap Shipping of Hong Kong, has no previous detentions dating back to 2013.
Norwegian broker Westshore shows the vessel as open for business in the UK. Its last charter was a cargo run for Peterson on 29 September, for £9,000 per day.
Ocean Clap Shipping could not be contacted.
The Ben Nevis is listed as insured by Steamship Mutual, which has been contacted for comment.
The MCA took similar action against a fleet of cruiseships operated under the now-defunct Cruise & Maritime Voyages brand this summer, after concerns were raised about the seafarers on board.
A preventative detention led to further inspections. The vessels will be auctioned off this month.
