Simone-Martini Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The 'Simone Martini', a ferry servicing the route between Trapani and the picturesque Aegadian Islands, has been detained by the Port Authority in Trapani since July 8, 2025. This drastic action follows a formal request from the Health and Safety Commission that highlighted significant irregularities in the crew's canteen service. The Territorial Commission for Accident Prevention, Health and Safety on Board conducted a thorough inspection of the vessel, revealing a breach of previously issued mandates dating back to February concerning the provision of free meals, as stipulated by national and international ILO standards. A contentious point in this scenario arose from the unions' decision to terminate a second-level agreement, a negotiation that had previously allowed for standards exceeding those set by the National Collective Bargaining Agreement. Consequently, the regular canteen service aboard the 'Simone Martini' was discontinued, with the shipping company opting to replace it with a substitute allowance. This allowance had permitted seafarers to source their meals independently from 2019 up until December 2024. In the absence of a new agreement, the Commission reiterated that the general conditions established by the relevant national collective bargaining agreement apply, which mandates that food provisions must adhere to stipulated ILO standards. This includes the shipowner's obligation to cover meal expenses up to €15 per meal with appropriate documentation. The Commission raised further concerns regarding the unauthorized conversion of the kitchen into what was termed a 'pantry', which lacked the necessary approvals from the competent Ministry along with new accommodation plans. Notably, the Commission pointed out that the closure of the kitchen did not meet the documentation requirements sent to the competent Ministry, underscoring a complete lack of official exemption for these changes. Additionally, while pre-cooked meals sold at the onboard bar were mentioned, it was stressed that access to sufficient and free food is essential for the well-being of seafarers. The possibility of purchasing food on land during working hours, particularly given the summer sailing schedule starting June 1, was deemed insufficient. Seafarers' work hours extend from 6:30 a.m. to 8:20 p.m., making it impractical to rely on shore-based dining options during crucial meal times. In response to the ferry's arrest, Caronte, the operating company, released a statement asserting that the existing agreement remains valid and did not lapse due to the lack of a new contract. They claimed to continue providing meal allowances and vouchers while updating onboard services to introduce pantry areas for meal preparation. Furthermore, they established reasonable pricing for pre-cooked meals at the onboard bar and permitted captains to grant brief breaks for crew members to purchase food on land when feasible. Caronte expressed confidence that restoring the previous meal system while seeking a new agreement would be the best course of action, suggesting that alternative, cost-compatible solutions could be explored with union cooperation.