Australia Detains Ship for not compling with Crew Labor Laws

MUMBAI, India - Sept. 22, 2015 - PRLog -- MV Apellis bulk carrier reported  been detained by AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Authority following an inspection that uncovered numerous deficiencies regarding the crews working conditions.

The vessel has been detained on the matter of non-payment of wages and it will remain under detention by AMSA until this deficiency is rectified

AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Authority carried out an inspection of the vessel at Esperance grain jetty following a complaint sent out by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) that raised concerns regarding the crews welfare.

The MV Apellis is operated by Pyrsos Shipping Co Ltd and chartered by Hudson Shipping Lines.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority surveyor found a number of deficiencies

1. Seafarers not being repatriated as required by their employment agreements
2. One crew found to be working beyond medical restrictions;
3. No working washing machine in crew laundry
4. Inadequate quality or nutritional value of food
5. Seafarers not paid monthly as required by their employment agreements.

All vessels operating in Australias waters have to be in full compliance with the standards issued by the country. Seamen lead difficult lives with them having to spend many months away at sea Any ship determined to be breaching the Maritime Labor Convention or any other Australian standard is going to be detained by Australian Maritime Safety Authority and repeating offenders are to risk receiving a ban from Australias waters he said.

ITF Representative said he was worried there would be an increase in these incidents of exploitation as Australias Abbott Government moved towards further relaxing shipping regulation through amendments to the Coastal Trading Act.

Australia became the 22nd member State of the International Labor Organization to ratify the landmark Convention in December 2011. MLC 2006 is often referred to as the “Seafarer Bill of Rights” and the fourth pillar of maritime regulation (with SOLAS STCW and MARPOL) establishing seafarers’ rights to decent working and living conditions while creating fair competition for shipowners.