Crew on half industry rate

A BELIZE-registered vessel was arrested in New Ross yesterday, when it emerged it was leaking seawater and the Russian crew were only being paid half what they are entitled to.

The Lillian, a 2,500 tonne vessel, was found to have at least 15 structural defects according to the International Transport Federation.

It said the nine Russian crew were receiving only half the industry rates with the captain on $1,500 (€1,100) a month instead of $5,000 (€3,700), the chief engineer on $2,000 (€1,500) a month instead of $4,000 (€3,000) and able seamen on $1,000 (€750) a month instead of $1,750 (€1,300).

The arrest of the vessel was initiated by an unnamed Tullamore company whose steel shipment had corroded in the belly of the ship.

Federation spokesman Ken Fleming said the crew was absolutely terrified and afraid to speak out about the conditions onboard and the large shortfall in their pay.

“The main reason why this state of affairs came to light was that an Irish customer had the vessel arrested after finding its consignment of steel was badly corroded. I am now appealing to the firm’s legal representatives not to agree to the ship’s released until the men have proper contracts in place.”