DAIWAN JUSTICE

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Detained vessel released in Lyttelton

The "Daiwan Justice", which had been detained by the Maritime New Zealand on March 2 at Lyttelton after a complaint that the crew's wages had not been paid for almost four months, was released after the vessel's operator paid the crew.

Ship detained for outstanding wages

The crew of the "Daiwan Justice" who went unpaid for almost four months got their money after Maritime NZ intervened, boarding and detaining the ship in Lyttelton. Maritime New Zealand was alerted to the issue of unpaid crew members on board the "Daiwan Justice" and immediately launched an investigation when the vessel came in to port in Christchurch, acting on information provided to us by the International Transport Workers' Federation. The crew members, employees of Taiwanese company Wisdom Marine International Limited, were hastily paid by their employer after receiving a detention order from Maritime NZ. The detainment, which occurred on March 2, 2019, was then lifted that same day, following news of payment. This wasn't the first time the Taiwanese company has been detained, with another of their vessels, the "Daiwan Fortune", held for the same reasons in 2018. After the issue was brought to the attention of Maritime NZ, an officer went on board to investigate and confronted the ship's master with the evidence. The master admitted the wages hadn't been paid and the vessel was immediately detained. "Maritime NZ applies maritime law irrespective of the 'flag' of the ship and the nationality of the crew," Vredenburg said. Vrendenburg has said Maritime NZ is considering what compliance actions can be taken against the company.