Seafarers have finally left a product tanker grounded in the United Arab Emirates after shifts of up to four years.
The men swam ashore at Umm Al Quwain from the 7,000-dwt Iba (built 2008), which is operated by Alco Shipping Services.
The ship beached there after breaking its anchor on 24 January.
Some crew members had not set foot on dry land since 2017.
The five seafarers hope to be repatriated in March.
But, before that, they have agreed to stay on for another 15 days to help with the sale of the ship.
The trip ashore was arranged to meet representatives of Alco Shipping, The Guardian newspaper reported.
New buyer steps in
A new buyer named as Shark Power Marine Services had also provided cheques worth $165,000 via the Mission to Seafarers charity.
The sum represents about 65% to 70% of the wages the crew members were owed.
A chief engineer from Myanmar and a Pakistani second engineer joined the ship in July 2017. Other seafarers from India went on board in 2018 and 2019.
They will now help with essential work on the ship before it is towed to Dubai. The rest of their wages will then be paid.
Alco Shipping Services has been contacted for comment.
2018 blacklisting
In 2018, India blacklisted Alco in another crew-abandonment case.
"It has been reported to this directorate that Indian seafarers are stranded at Dubai for last 22 months due to abandonment by the owners/recruiting agencies," the directorate general of shipping told the protector general of emigrants in the ministry of external affairs.
"The seafarers are distressed, not paid wages for months, not repatriated ... after completion of contract."
The year before, UK charity Human Rights at Sea said a crew on board Alco Shipping Services' 9,939-dwt tanker Ocean Pride (built 1988) had not been paid for two years.
The ship was at anchorage off the UAE at that time.
Alco Shipping Services is listed by Clarksons as controlling four other vessels, including another product tanker.
