FV CHRISTIAN M

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Crew of detained trawler repatriated

The Indonesian crew of the "Christian M" who jumped ship in Dingle two weeks ago appealing for help over the working conditions on their ship, have now been repatriated to their own country following negotiations with the owners of the vessel. Most of the 13-man crew of the Spanish-owned and UK-registered trawler were involved in the revolt over pay and working conditions on their boat. Their appeal for help resulted in the trawler being examined by Irish Maritime Survey Office (MSO) staff, who were in Dingle dealing with a separate matter at the time. The MSO officials weren't happy with everything they saw, but didn't take further action because the Spanish-owned trawler is registered in the UK. However, they relayed their concerns to their counterparts in the British Maritime Coast Guard, who subsequently carried out a more detailed inspection and ordered the vessel to be detained in Dingle until essential work is carried out. The crew's pay issues have been resolved following negotiations and on March 27, 2019, they were flown home to Indonesia. But while the crew has gone, their ship has to remain in Dingle until repairs have been carried out and approved. It was unknown how long the work will take but it was thought likely that all the necessary work on the "Christian-M" can be done in locally. If the trawler has to be moved to a yard, the owners will need an exemption from the detention order to allow her to be towed there.

Crew walked off detained trawler to police station

13 crew members of the "Christian M.", which was detained in Dingle on March 11, 2019, walked off the vessel and spent a night in the Dingle police station in protest over working conditions. The crew attended the police station in search of help over issues regarding living and working conditions on board. The Marine Survey Office (MSO) confirmed that the vessel was detained and that the maritime administration in Britain had been made aware of the situation. A spokesperson for the MSO said they commenced a control inspection on March 11 in Dingle following a complaint made to police regarding living and working conditions on board. Serious deficiencies were found by the MSO regarding compliance of the vessel with S.I. No. 709/2003 - European Communities (Workers on Board Sea-Going Fishing Vessels) (Organisation of Working Time) Regulations 2003. These regulations regulate the hours of work and rest of fishers and require records to be kept. The vessel has been detained by the MSO and the maritime administration in the United Kingdom has been advised of the deficiencies. The United Kingdom as the flag state for the vessel is primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with the relevant statutory requirements. The MSO's inspection is ongoing, and the vessel will remain in the port of Dingle until it has been released by the MSO. Already in 2017, the "Christian M." had been detained in Castletownbere for several issues, including a cockroach infestation and crewing issues.

Trawler detained after it broke down off West Cork

Indonesian crew members of the "Christian M" which has been detained in West Cork last week walked off the vessel and sought to be put up by Irish officials to enable them to plan for a journey home. The Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) had examined the trawler which had been detained by Irish authorities for a number of issues including a significant cockroach infestation and crewing issues. The ship has been fumigated twice and is now free from infestations. There remained a number of outstanding issues that meant the vessel continued to be detained, including the condition of the accommodation and training. The MCA surveyor was working with the skipper and an agent of the owner to address these issues. The vessel will not be allowed to sail until the MCA is satisfied these are being adequately met. The vessel, mainly crewed by Indonesian fisherman, was towed into Castletownbere after it broke down on Nov 8, 2017. The trawler was subjected to an inspection by the Irish Marine Survey Office (MSO) which found deficiencies and decided to detain the vessel on Nov 10. The crew remained onboard until the afternoon of Nov 17, in the Department of the Marine-run State fishery harbour. At that point, they were visited by both an official from the Indonesian embassy and Ken Fleming, a co-ordinator with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). Mr Fleming spoke to the 13 Indonesian crew with the assistance of the embassy official and they told him they wished to go home. With the assistance of gardaí, they left the boat to travel to accommodation in Dublin in the evening. Mr Fleming was demanding that the vessel’s owners paid any outstanding monies owed to the fishermen as well as the cost of airfares to get them back to their home country. He also planned to seek the repayment of any monies paid to agents by the men for their jobs. The ITF co-ordinator for Britain and Ireland said it was his understanding that three senior Spanish crew members would be staying onboard. The ship was likely to remain in Irish waters until a new crew has been brought in and the detention by Irish authorities is lifted. Report with photos: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/crew-walk-off-cockroach-infested-trawler-in-west-cork-814760.html