07.02.2020

“There is no fuel on board, no salary is paid”

There is no fuel on board, no salary is paid.  6 Russian seafarers working on an old ship built 40 years ago got into trouble.«We received an appeal from the crew of the m/v Max (Russian Flag) signed by Captain Vladimir Bezhanov. Rather it is even a cry of despair,» says Dmitry Ivanov, a lawyer at the Baltic Territorial Organization of the Seafarers Union of Russia.  The vessel remains in Varna since December 16 of last year. The seafarer’s affairs there really are nowhere worse. Below are some facts the captain brings about the current state of affairs on board:

1. There is no fuel on board despite daily reminders to the shipowner in the morning reports. At the moment the fuel has remained in the supply tank which is used sparingly only for the boiler to operate for household needs given the above zero temperature

2. Food is prepared by the cook once a day due to food savings. We constantly ask for money for food. The last receipt of money was 04.02.20 in amount of 450 EUR. The crew goes for groceries to the nearest village which is located about 5 km from the plant.

3. Crew salaries as per the contracts of employment are not paid

4. Sanitary condition-due to strong condensate water is dripping from the ceiling due to lack of insulationin the crew cabins.

«We are talking about serious violations in terms of payment of wage and living conditions on board, both from the point of view of the current Russian legislation and international standards, » said D. Ivanov.  In this case I mean first the violation of MLC the effect of which fully applies to the ship. The crew asks the union to provide the necessary assistance in arranging repatriation as well as in obtaining of outstanding wage.  According to the seafarers the shipowner literally “feeds” them with promises that they no longer believe in.From the documents provided it follows that the crewmembers were hired by shipping company which is located in the Leningrad Region. In addition the port of registry of the m / v Max is St. Petersburg. There are other no less interesting details.«The current situation on board the vessel under the Russian flag is unacceptable, said D. Ivanov.  We believe that the relevant supervisory authorities should investigate the case and take the necessary measures to resolve this issue. We have already sent formal enquiries to both the Transport Prosecutor's Office of St. Petersburg and the State Labor Inspectorate in the Leningrad Region».

Characteristics of m/v Max

Gross Tonnage: 1084

SSW DWT: 1853 t

Length Overall x Breadth Extreme: 74.16 x 9.96 m

Yearof Built: 1980


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