The 3,331-dwt general cargo vessel Munzur(built 2008) was initially held in Fowey, Cornwall after failing a healthand safety inspection earlier this month.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) report cited dirtybathroom facilities, unsuitable food storage, corroded pipework, broken lightsand inadequate laundry facilities, as the reasons for holding the ship.
However the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)subsequently issued a Tuesday 5pm deadline for the company to pay and repatriate the crew ofthe “filthy and unsafe” Panamanian vessel or it would proceed with a formalarrest.
“Living conditions are appalling, with the vessel having nohot water at the time of arrest, no washing machines, filthy bed linen, lowlevels of fresh food, unsafe electrics and a sanitary system which relies on a45 gallon drum full of sea water,” the ITF said in a statement on Tuesday.
All but one of the 12 seafarers were earning below the ILOminimum wage while one was earning just $400 per month and five of them had notbeen paid since joining the vessel earlier this year.
Darren Procter,ITF inspector, said today:“Following our legal action on behalf of the crew, the company is now promisingto pay them all the money it owes them, and to repatriate them.
“While thatmoney is transferred they have demonstrated good faith by putting food onboard,along with two much-needed washing machines.
“If all thatis owed is paid to the crew we will cease the arrest of the vessel. If the crewdon’t get what they deserve we resume that arrest.”
The ITF saysthat the owners are also likelyto sign an agreement promisingdecent pay and conditions for seafarerson the Munzur.
