Seafarer expressed gratitude to Union

Konstantin Safronov,  Chief Engineer of the  vessel “Lark” (flag of Togo,  IMO: 8724705), thanked the Seafarers' Union of Russia  for the assistance in recovering of unpaid wages.

In the beginning of June he applied to the  SUR Far Eastern Territorial Organization (SUR FETO)  stating  that he had worked on board the vessel “Lark” from April  1 to  20, 2018,  but the company had not  paid him a salary  for that period. Repeated  appeals to the  shipowner had no results, just hollow promises were made. Besides, he read in the media that the crew of  the vessel “Lark” had  recently applied to  SUR FETO and got their unpaid wages.

- This story began on  April, 9, 2018, when, before the ship's departure to Japanese Port of Otaru,   three crew members of this vessel contacted the seafarers' union asking to help them to receive their unpaid wages, - Nikolay Sukhanov, the Chairman of SUR FETO explained.  - Japanese port authorities were informed about the unpaid wages and planned to come on board with inspection on  the ship's arrival.

The Master got to know about the planned inspection at Port of Otaru and asked the crew members to refuse the claims. He promised to pay wages to those who had written the complaint.  However, the seafarers said they would not abandon a claim till all the crew receives the money.  Given these circumstances and the threat of the vessel's detention in Japan, the Master decided to return to Nakhodka without registration of arrival.

Nevertheless, upon the arrival to the Russian port the vessel was detained by Port State Control Inspector  until the payment of debt in full, which  amounted to about  $50000.

-With the Union's assistance the crew received unpaid wages. However, the Chief Engineer Konstantin Safronov was not paid as he had already signed off the vessel by that time.   The company refused to pay him the wages and he came to us and asked  SUR  for help, -  Nikolay Sukhanov told.

The union sent a note of warning to the shipowner where highlighted the inadmissibility of such actions and the possibility of subsequent  detentions of the vessel . After that, the Chief Engineer was paid all the debts.

 "I express gratitude to SUR for the assistance in recovering back wages in the amount of  $1000," - Safronov wrote in a letter addressed to SUR FETO Chairman.