Beginning to Bite
The new provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) – the seafarers "bill of rights' – have been beginning to bite since they came into effect in August this year.
However, a recent case in the UK shows the need for close scrutiny of implementation of the convention. A port State control inspection of a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, "George" found that it was in a "filthy" condition with 12 deficiencies. While they may have seemingly been running low on Teepol they were incredibly in possession of a freshly minted MLC certification.
The ship was served with a prohibition order because of rotten food, out-of-date provisions and a cockroach infestation of the galley, as well as the crew accommodation.
The "George" is not the only problem vessel highlighted recently - Nautilus International has released details of a vessel detained in port, and which has been described as a "Mickey Mouse operation". Panamanian-registered bulk carrier "Donald Duckling", owned by TMT Shipping of Taiwan, was detained in the Port of Tyne after an inspection revealed a long list of serious deficiencies.
Crew members are said to have had such poor food provisions onboard that they were forced to catch fish from the side of the vessel which they had to cook on deck using dunnage because galley equipment was out of order.
The TMT vessel "Donald Duckling" is dogged by serious health and safety concerns, and reports indicate it could be set for an extended stay in the port. According to local reports, experts believe the vessel could be detained until at least Christmas. The 16-year-old Panama-registered cargo ship cannot leave until it has undergone urgent repairs, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.
The 18-strong crew, made up of Romanians and Filipinos, are being assisted by the local Mission to Seafarers, and they have been provided with care, communication and food.
In a recent campaign the Mission to Seafarers has been raising funds for three hot square meals for seafarers, which is great, but what about the shipowners who allow this to happen? How can we ensure that they are brought to account? Surely in the 21st Century, and notwithstanding the MLC, we cannot allow seafarers to live like characters in a Dickensian novel.
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