Latvian ship crew reassured by consul visit

CREW onboard a Latvian ship tied up in Cork harbour and owed €80,000 in unpaid wages were “reassured” by a visit from Ukrainian Consul Yuriy Zereshynskyi.

Ken Fleming of the International Transport Federation (ITF), which is seeking to put the Defender under ‘ship arrest’, said Mr Zereshynskyi’s visit had served to allay the fears of the seven men, from Russia and the Ukraine, who are left on board.

Mr Fleming said the consul’s visit was symbolic as he did not have any power to intervene in the situation.

“He spoke to the crew in great detail” and they “told him they had never received any money for their work”. Mr Fleming said it would frighten the company, and others like them, who were continually taking advantage of people working at sea.

“These men would have returned home and told their money was in the bank, but in reality there is no money and they don’t get paid.”

Mr Fleming said one crew member has claimed his families is being threatened because of their ongoing strike.

“The cook on board said his wife had received a visit from very rough individuals threatening her. They are saying her husband will never work again and that they will punch him when he gets home. They want to just go straight home. It is a constant battle to reassure them everything will be okay,” he said.

Meanwhile Fiona Corcoran of the Greater Chernobyl Cause yesterday organised an emergency food collection for the men as they were down to their last meal.

“The cupboards are bare and the men were smoking tea leaves,” she said.

“It is an affront to humanity that this is going on.”

Ms Corcoran said Cork businesses had been very generous.

“Marks and Spencer provided lunch today and we have pledges from McDonald’s and the Uptown Grill for breakfast.”

The ship arrived into Passage West harbour earlier this week carrying timber but was detained by Port State Control in Cork harbour over manning irregularities.

Once it is officially abandoned by its owners, the ITF will sell it and use whatever money is left to pay the crew.

Mr Fleming said he hoped the men could be repatriated some time next week.