A UK charity has called for accuracy in abandoned seafarer cases after a flag state misreported a union official's update about four Syrian seafarers stuck on a cargoship in Romania.
The crew members are owed $175,000 in back pay for their work on the 3,100-dwt Panama-flagged Ali Bey (built 1993), which has been docked in Constanta since November 2020.
Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) was sent testimony from master Abdullah Dahha that he and his three colleagues had been suffering from a lack of money and proper food and water, as well as a periodic power supply.
The charity says the ship was arrested in the port in November and abandoned by the owner.
Earlier this month, the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) filed a case with the International Labour Organization (ILO) database, misquoting the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) regional co-ordinator Mohamed Arrachedi.
The PMA entry read: "We received confirmation from the ITF inspector, Mohamed Arrachedi, that the wages owned had been paid and that they were awaiting the repatriation of the crew."
HRAS alerted the ITF to this statement and its concern about the associated disadvantage of the remaining Syrian seafarers.
Immediate response
This resulted in an immediate written response from the ITF to the ILO on 17 July to correct the facts.
The PMA wrote to HRAS highlighting their mistake, acknowledging responsibility, and apologising for "any inconveniences".
The database has now been updated.
The PMA entry now says: "The complaint consists of the crew requesting owed wages since more than a year, two years ago. Also according to the information we received they need provisions on board. No reply at all from the parties involved. Until now, the status has not changed."
HRAS said: "Had the misquote not been spotted, the four Syrian seafarers abandoned on board for eight months would have been further disadvantaged more than they already are."
The crew have been reliant on the generosity and charity of local welfare entities, HRAS added.
The ITF has, however, been able to have the ship's power reconnected and has raised the case in a local court.
The union is working to obtain a 100% wage settlement.
HRAS said the unnamed shipowner is not responding to phone calls, and only sending letters to crew, the court and the ITF.
UK shipbroker Clarksons lists the manager as Team Chartering & Shipping Services of Istanbul, which has been contacted for comment.
The owner is listed by Equasis as A&D Ship Management, with an address care of Team.
The four crew members, as well as those who have already signed off, did manage to secure four months wages from the American P&I club under the terms of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
Double-checking needed
HRAS said: "It is critical for all cases of abandoned seafarers that submissions to the ILO Abandonment Database are double-checked and accurate in support of achieving expedited justice for victims."
The charity urged flag states to take a direct interest and be engaged in every case of abandonment on board all vessels.
"There is no room for any abdication of responsibility," HRAS said.
The charity is awaiting further response from the PMA as to how it is helping the seafarers.
HRAS said it recognised the immediate response, acknowledgement and correction by the flag state.
VesselsValue lists the ship as worth $1.19m for further trading, but only $900,000 on a scrap basis.
