Nr. 1 2010 - Handelsflådens Velfærdsråd

abandoned ShipS
unfortunately, from time to time ships and seafarers are abandoned in danish ports. there are several reasons for this,
but it is often due to financial and safety problems. When a ship is detained, it is of course an unpleasant experience for
the crew, who do not always know when they can leave the ship, or when the ship will be released
Earlier this year, The
Danish Government’s
Seamen’s Service (HFV)
again experienced one of these
unfortunate events, when the
coaster the ”Cormorant” was
detained in Frederiksværk
with a crew of three. The
owner and captain had left
the ship in December and
abandoned the crew, who,
among other things, had not
been paid for several months
and were also suffering from
very bad conditions on board.
As soon as the Seamen’s
Service learnt of this situation,
action was taken. The crew
– two Ghanaians and a
Ukrainian – were visited twice
a week. We helped out with
supplies, heating, news, books
and movies, and the visit
itself was of great benefit.
Simultaneously, the ITF’s
Danish inspector strove to
solve the issue of outstanding
wages.
collectioN at daNsteel
Since Denmark ratified ILO
Convention no. 163 in 1993,
we have had an obligation
towards seafarers visiting
Danish ports. In practice we
share this task with the port
authorities and individual
port services. Most cases
run quite smoothly and are
pleasant tasks.
In the case of the Cormorant,
which was, unfortunately,
not an isolated incident, our
focus was obviously on the
040° HOriSOnt
crew’s welfare. The fact they
lived on the ship was beneath
contempt and their situation
unacceptable. Unfortunately,
we also had to acknowledge
that the Danish authorities
were not properly equipped
for this task. Definitely a
difficult task, but these were
people who were left in a very
unfortunate situation.
Fortunately a solution was
found, not least with help of
the Welfare Office, and the
by Søren Philip Sørensen, HFV
Filipino crewmembers onboard abandoned ship in Assens/Denmark.
three seamen were able to
leave Denmark in February.
At that time the ship was
confiscated, so they could
finally leave their involuntary
detention. As I write, the ship
has not yet been sold, so they
have still not received their
outstanding wages.
There were however some
positive experiences. Several
citizens of Frederiksværk
visited the seamen with
everyday necessities and
DanSteel launched a collection
for the three seamen.
It was a nice gesture and
gave the seamen some much
needed funds.
We hope of course that
it’s a long time before we
again find ourselves in a
similar situation. At the same
time, we should be glad that
Danish owners do not put
their employees in similar
situations.