The Ken-Ei: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The bulk carrier "Ken Ei" has recently found itself at the center of a significant wage dispute, fueled by claims of "wage theft" raised by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). These allegations emerged after the Australian steel manufacturer BlueScope, in conjunction with BHP, transitioned from using Australian-crewed vessels to opting for foreign ships manned by international crews for transporting iron ore from Western Australia to their steelworks. Reports indicate that 20 Filipino seafarers on board the "Ken Ei," which had been chartered by BlueScope, reached out to ITF inspectors regarding overdue wages totaling $38,384. Upon docking in Western Port, the crew promptly inquired about compensations related to two coastal voyages and urged the ITF to communicate with the vessel's owner, as they had not received any correspondence or indications regarding their pending payments from BlueScope or the chartering partners Rio Tinto. Following ITF's intervention, the ship owner was alerted to their legal responsibilities under Australian labor laws, resulting in the immediate disbursement of wages to the crew members. This case highlights broader issues within the maritime industry; just in December 2018, ITF inspectors conducted 761 inspections, recovering nearly $2 million in unpaid wages owed to seafarers globally. The situation surrounding the "Ken Ei" underscores the critical role the ITF plays in safeguarding the rights and remuneration of maritime personnel.

On March 1, 2014, the Coast Guard cutter "Alex Haley" played a vital role in a medical evacuation operation approximately 100 miles northwest of Dutch Harbor. A crew from the Kodiak Air Station, utilizing an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, responded to a distress call from the fishing vessel "Ken Ei." The emergency came after the vessel's master informed the Coast Guard 17th District command center in Juneau of a 40-year-old crew member experiencing severe abdominal pain, suspected to be appendicitis. Following consultation with a Coast Guard flight surgeon, it was determined that an urgent medevac was necessary. The Dolphin helicopter swiftly transported the patient back to Dutch Harbor, where he was transferred to a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew stationed in Cold Bay. The Jayhawk successfully transported him to Cold Bay, from where he was then taken to commercial medical services for a flight to Anchorage, ensuring he received the advanced medical attention required. At the time of the operation, challenging weather conditions were present, with winds gusting at 40 mph and sea swells reaching up to 7 feet.