Alma-Marine: Navigating Through Troubled Waters and the Road to Recovery

Alma-Marine has recently made headlines as a subject of repairs and crew distress. Originally anchored off the port of Sfax since May 2017, the ship found itself offering a grim portrayal of abandonment, with reports indicating that by the time of her critical conditions, she had run out of power, food, and fresh water. With no operational generators to provide essential amenities aboard, the situation grew dire as crew members faced illness without access to medical treatment. This issue highlighted a growing concern in the maritime industry regarding the responsibilities of shipowners, particularly those like Alco Shipping Services, linked to multiple crew abandonment cases in recent years. With the crew desperately seeking exit from the deteriorating living conditions aboard, the local embassies became involved, aiming to secure their repatriation, but numerous challenges arose due to expired certificates and unpaid wages stretching over six months.

The 'Qaaswa' eventually became a focal point of maritime rescue efforts after suffering an engine failure on June 1 while at Sfax. This mechanical breakdown rendered the vessel immobile and incapable of making its own repairs, resulting in the employment of the tug 'Chambon Alize' for towage operations to Tuzla, a shipyard known for its repair services. Upon completion of the towage formalities in October 2019, the operation began, with Coastal Safety tugs providing essential escort services through the Canakkale Strait to ensure safe transit—an essential move, given the vessel’s recent operational failures and distress signals.

Once at Tuzla, a detailed damage survey was conducted by class surveyors in collaboration with the owner's technical team, pinpointing the necessary repair areas and setting the stage for a much-needed recovery. Repairs commenced promptly as of November 11, indicating that although delayed, steps were being taken to restore the vessel to its full operational capacity. The unfolding narrative of the 'Qaaswa' serves not only as a case study of the challenges facing mariners but also reflects on the responsibilities of shipowners in ensuring the welfare of their crew and the seaworthiness of their vessels. The journey of Alma-Marine is a poignant reminder of the urgency required in addressing maritime safety and human rights issues within the shipping industry.