The Lucky-Den: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On March 11, 2019, the Panamanian-flagged vessel 'Denizhan Trio' faced detention upon its arrival at the port of Taranto, Italy. This action was deemed necessary by the local Coast Guard after a comprehensive 10-hour inspection revealed significant issues related to the crew's preparedness and various onboard irregularities. The inspection underscored that the ship failed to meet essential international maritime conventions concerning navigation safety, exposing multiple clear non-conformities. The crew's inadequate training and serious equipment deficiencies were notable concerns, including a malfunctioning rescue boat lowering device, which could prove critical in emergencies. Additionally, the management company responsible for the vessel's safety, a Turkish firm situated in Istanbul, came under scrutiny for failing to uphold safety standards. The 'Denizhan Trio' had arrived in Taranto from Nemrut Bay to load bags of cement, but its high-risk profile is concerning; the ship had previously been stopped twice in 2016 and once in 2017 under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding. The vessel will only regain permission to operate after all safety discrepancies have been addressed and rectified, as mandated by Italian maritime authorities. For further details, you can view the Italian report, which includes a photo of the incident: https://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/news/taranto/1120677/problemi-sicurezza-nave-panamense-bloccata-nel-porto-di-taranto.html

Nine crew members from the 'Seccadi', who endured nearly three weeks of being stranded on the Mersey River in the UK, have safely returned to their home countries. This positive outcome was facilitated by the IMarEST’s Guild of Benevolence, which provided essential funds to support the crews of both the 'Seccadi' and the 'Tora', which was also facing detention. The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency took action, detaining the 'Seccadi' on June 20, 2017, at a berth in Ellesmere Port, Liverpool, due to poor onboard conditions. While the vessel was moved to a layby berth at Manisty, the crew, made up of Turkish, Indian, and Azerbaijani nationals, found themselves in a dispute with Voda Shipping of Turkey, the vessel's owner, over their wages and working conditions. Thankfully, the crew has since been repatriated at the owner's expense, successfully avoiding a looming deportation scenario. In the wake of the crew’s return, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) took action by lodging complaints with the owners of the 'Seccadi' and the Panama ship registry, calling attention to the deplorable conditions reported aboard the vessel.

The crew members of the 'Seccadi', a vessel left abandoned in Ellesmere Port, have been safely returned home, thanks to the intervention of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), led by Liverpool inspector Tommy Molloy, in cooperation with the Border Force and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The ITF has condemned the abandonment of the 'Seccadi', owned by Voda Shipping in Istanbul, along with two other vessels from the same company in various UK ports, calling it an indicator of a 'culture close to modern-day slavery.' The 'Seccadi' was relocated to Ellesmere Port from Runcorn by Peel Ports after being idle for an extended period. Following complaints regarding the dreadful onboard conditions, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency detained the vessel at a lay-by berth at Manisty Wharf. Reports indicate that some crew members were earning as little as 66 pence per hour until the ITF stepped in. Maritime organizations advocating for seafarers expressed outrage over the unacceptable pay and living conditions faced by the Turkish and Indian crew, some of whom had been aboard the ship for nearly a year. Although over £50,000 in back pay was reportedly settled, numerous issues still persisted for the stranded crew. Amid these hardships, Mr. Molloy lodged formal complaints with the Turkish owners and the Panama ship registry, revealing shocking details, such as a lack of fresh produce and a cockroach infestation in the galley. In response, the North West Port Welfare Committee and the compassionate residents of Merseyside organized support for the crew, providing fresh fruits and vegetables through the Seafarers Centre, ensuring that they had enough shore leave to alleviate their distress. The crew, who had been paid less than $0.85 an hour, have now been successfully repatriated. The Border Force informed the ship owner that failure to resolve these issues by the end of the designated period would lead to the deportation of the crew members. However, an extension was granted for their stay. Initially, for the first ten days of detention, little action was taken despite the company starting to pay wages. Under pressure, the owners asserted they would repatriate three Indian crew members, providing flight details but neglecting to supply tickets. One crew member reported spending his own money on a connecting flight from Mumbai after missing the flight arranged by the company. Crew members were required to fund their travels to and from Istanbul and pay thousands of dollars to a recruiting agent for 'training' and 'certificates,' violating the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) regulations. Eventually, the ship owners agreed to provide tickets for some crew members but noted that three can remain with plans for a replacement crew. With three crew members, including the captain, in a precarious situation, the owners at last committed to covering their flight costs and overdue wages, as well as ensuring the captain's prompt return home.