MERATUS JAYAKARTA
Course/Position
Latest ports
Latest Waypoints
Latest news
Sailors held on board for years to be relieved
Two sailors on board the 'Meratus Jayakarta' were on board for over two years, 13 others for over a year. An inspection during a stopover in Reunion enabled maritime authorities to observe scandalous practices linked to the difficulties in ensuring crew changes since the health crisis and the border closure measures. On April 25, 2021, a little after 5 a.m. the ship approached the dock at the port of Pointe des Galets. The sailor took a bundle of papers from his pocket and hands it to the pilot Eric Kerverdo who consulted the documents: The 63-year-old chief engineer boarded the 'Meratus Jayakarta' on April 11, 2019 in Singapore. For one of his assistants, boarding took place on April 4, 2019. The two mechanics have never been relieved since. The pilot learnt that several other sailors have been on board for over a year without ever being able to return home. He made a report to the South Indian Ocean Sea Directorate (DMSOI) in Saint-Denis de La Réunion, both because of the risk related to safety on board but also because of the situation considered inhuman. International maritime law sets the maximum duration of embarkation at 11 months. On April 26, two inspectors from the ship safety center in Reunion carried out a thorough check on board which lasted more than six hours. They were able to speak confidentially with each of the 22 crew members. Following the inspection, which did not reveal any other shortcomings, the Indonesian shipowner was subject to an obligation to rectify and relieve almost all of the crew when the ship next calls in Reunion Island. The 'Meratus Jayakarta' is due to return to the island on May 19. The ship rotates in the Indian Ocean by picking up containers from the port of Salalah before serving the Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion. By May 19, the Indonesian company will recruit a new crew and organize health and administrative formalities for the sailors who should finally be able to return home. In the meantime, the crew of the 'Meratus Jayakarta' have agreed to sign an amendment to their contract in order to regularize the situation.
Charter extended
1-2 months trading South East Asia, 8200 $ daily, MSC
New Charter fixed
3-6 months trading Southeast Asia, 9100 $ daily, MSC
Upload News