News
5 Lankans of 16-member crew bobbing in outer harbour sans F and B and fuel
A 16-member crew including five Sri Lankans aboard a Malaysian-flagged oil tanker, was yesterday fearing the worst, after the local handler discontinued supplies to the vessel, following a payment dispute with the ship’s owner, maritime and trade unionist officials said.
Ranjan Perera of the International Transport workers Federation (ITF) said that the local handler-Mackinnon Mackenzie had informed authorities that it could no longer continue with the essential supplies such as safe drinking water and food and fuel for the generators, as the ship owner was in the red in payments.
The 5,036 ton ‘Saag Sirius’ has remained in the outer harbour anchorage at the Colombo Port for the past three months, after it was detained on a court order, following a complaint by a Singapore-based maritime company claiming the ship’s owner was in the red in bunkering and other dues, Mr. Perera said.
On Friday the ship was ordered to be arrested, following a complaint by the 16-member crew claiming non- receipt of their wages for the past three months, amounting to about US$ 90,000 and the situation has worsened after the local agent said it was pulling out, he added.
“The crew has contacted us (ITF) on the situation inside the vessel, and have sought outside assistance at the earliest to settle the matter”, Mr. Perera added.
Merchant Shipping Director General Ajith Seneviratne told the Sunday Times that he was aware of the situation and was in constant touch with all the stakeholders, for an early solution.
“As it is, the local agent or handler cannot ignore its responsibilities towards the ship and the crew, as there are agreements endorsed on all sides, and this position has been conveyed to them”, Mr. Seneviratne said.
He added that the local agent is now explorining legal ways of getting out of the issue, but it is bound to be futile.
Rajnesh Wellington, with the recruitment firm Sanboline, that supplied the five Sri Lankan hands to the ‘Saag Sirius’ said his firm was not responsible for the wellbeing of the crew, as the local agent was responsible for that part .
“Our responsibility towards the crew ends once they sign the contract and board the vessel. From there onwards it is the responsibility of the ship owner and his appointed agents,” Mr. Wellington said.
He added that essential supplies such as food, safe drinking water and fuel was also running low on the vessel, after the local handling agent MacKinnon Mackenzie was pulling out.
Luke Mendis, a top official of Mackinnon Mackenzie refused to comment on the matter, saying he was not authorised to speak to the media.
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