AoS helps repatriate crew of detained ship

The ship, described by trade union Nautilus as “one-of-the-worst-examples-of-substandard-shipping” it had seen, has been detained in the Port of Tyne, UK, since being arrested on 12 November 2013. AoS says it has been providing practical support to the crew of the vessel, and now, all the crew, including 11 Filipino crewmembers who flew home on the afternoon of January 9, have gone back home. Only the ship’s captain and chief engineer remain.

“There were mixed emotions. Obviously, the crew are delighted to be going home to their families but they have yet to receive their outstanding wages,” AoS Tyne port chaplain Paul Atkinson said. He added AoS was also able to secure free passage home for the ship’s Romanian captain, who is expected to be repatriated next week.

The Filipino crew were paid for October and November and partially paid for December, as were the Romanian crew members.

Although when the ship arrived in port it had 15 days’ worth of provisions, this only lasted two or three days because of faulty refrigeration equipment. Since then AoS and other port-based agencies have been providing food and drinking water to the crew with the help of the local community, who AoS says have been very supportive.

“We will continue to assist the remaining crew in any way we can until all are safely repatriated,” said Mr Atkinson.