M.v-Smurf Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The plight of the crew aboard the 'Eide Trader,' under the command of Ukrainian captain Yuri Zayarny, has drawn significant attention. Situated in Sharjah, the five remaining seafarers find themselves stranded and without support as their employer, Eide Marine Logistics AS from Norway, fails to fulfill its responsibilities. Their contracts have expired, leaving them abandoned on the vessel after enduring circumstances that most would find unbearable. Among the crew are a second mechanic and a boatswain, all of whom have faced dire conditions since they began their journey. Four of them commenced their tenure onboard in November 2019, while the fifth crew member has been with the Eide Trader since July 2019. Tragically, he succumbed to a heart attack due to the extreme stress of their situation, and after being taken to a local hospital for surgery on December 16, 2020, his absence has deeply impacted the morale of the remaining crew. The neglect from Eide Marine Logistics AS has been alarming; they have not received any wages since November 2019, contravening the terms of their labor agreements. Thankfully, P&I club Gard AS has stepped in to provide essential support for the surviving crew members. On October 8, 2020, they successfully repatriated nine crew members, but the minimal staff left behind continues to suffer. The situation worsened when, on December 1, 2020, Eide Marine Logistics AS declared bankruptcy. The Mortgagee Bank Tysness Sparebank was appointed as the bankruptcy trustee, but according to reports, they have shown little interest in the vessel or in securing the wellbeing of the stranded crew. The captain has spoken out about the crew's deteriorating morale, their families’ financial distress due to unpaid wages, and their uncertainty about when—or if—they will ever return home. With expired documents, the stranded sailors face the risk of legal penalties if found working or moving about in a foreign country. This devastating scenario highlights the urgent need for reforms in maritime labor practices and the protection of seafarers' rights to ensure they are never abandoned and left to navigate such precarious circumstances alone.