ITF concern over Arctic vessel abandonment

9 December 2010

The ITF is expressing deep concern over the abandonment of the Lyubov Orlova in St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.

Eight crew remain on board after the ship was arrested in October by the ITF, with an outstanding wage claim of more than $300,000 (now $375,000).

The vessel, registered in the Cook Islands, was chartered by Canadian company Cruise North, for cruises into the Arctic. The owner claimed to have a buyer lined up, but confirmed he would be abandoning the ship last week.

ITF inspector Gerard Bradbury has been helping the crew in their claim, and says they are facing extreme hardship as a result of the abandonment. The ship has run out of fuel, and the seafarers are only able to use an emergency generator for part of the day. The seafarers are surviving with help from the local community, and will shortly be repatriated.

“Many of the crew have worked on this ship for eight years or more,” said Bradbury.
“They flagged up the non-payment of wages back in June, but no action has been taken. It’s unacceptable that seafarers should have to bear the brunt of the abandonment,”

The ITF is also very concerned about the safety and security of the Arctic environment: older, run-down FOC vessels could put this delicate habitat at risk.

ENDS

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