PRESS RELEASE
11 December 2018
London.UK. Human Rights at Sea has published an expose on the shocking case of over 30 seafarers abandoned on three vessels in UAE waters.
The latest case study is part of a series of investigations aimed at heightening awareness and maintaining the narrative of the pernicious commercial activity which is abusing seafarer’s rights globally through the abandonment by owners of vessels leaving their crews stranded, often without pay and basic living essentials and regularly for years on end.
Human Rights at Sea was urgently contacted by Captain Ayyapan Swaminathan, Master M/V AZRAQ MOIAH (IMO – 961976, Flag -UAE), one of the three vessels anchored in the UAE who reported to the charity that 40 crew members, of whom 30 fellow Indian nationals were stranded in three vessels owned by the same shipping company, Elite Way Marine Services EST, based in DUBAI. All three have been located in the anchorage site at the port of Sharjah in UAE, with outstanding salaries, lack of subsistence means, and no medical assistance for more than a year.
[UPDATED 10 Dec 18]. Human Rights at Sea has been made aware of a series of human rights and labour abusive practices against seafarers on board three vessels in the UAE belonging to the ship-owner company Elite Way Marine Services EST, incorporated in Dubai. About thirty (30) seafarers contacted Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) to report their situation, to appeal for urgent help and to provide individual statements on their physical and mental condition. All seafarers who contacted HRAS have spent more than two (2) years on-board the vessel with their salaries outstanding.