Eight out of eleven seafarers, who were left in limbo in the port of Durban, South Africa after their ship was detained, are about to be repatriated.
The 11 crewmembers from the tug/supply ship PSD2, detained following non-payment of wages, had not been paid for up to 15 months, according to the Catholic charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS).
The charity found out that the crew “were owed nine months’ wages; one hadn’t been paid for 15 months. Apparently the company kept delaying payment, promising to pay ‘next week’ but never doing so,” Fr Herman Giraldo, AoS Durban port chaplain, said.
“Arrangements are being made for the vessel to be sold and the men are expected to get paid when this happens. The remaining crew (the master and two engineers) on board are not allowed to leave the port,” Giraldo added.
The seafarers aboard the Tanzanian-flagged vessel were also in need of food and fresh water, while two crew needed medical attention. The ship, which arrived in Durban on December 10 from Mozambique, also had pest problems.
AoS was able to secure an emergency grant of GBP 1,000 from the Guild of Benevolence of the IMarEST (The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology) for medical bills, food and sanitation.