Our work
Arrested on the Trent
Friendship and practical support for a Russian crew whose ship was arrested on the River Trent
The ship was arrested on Gunness Wharf on the River Trent in May. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency identified 26 problems and pronounced the ship not safe to sail. It was subsequently transferred to Albert Dock in Hull where AOS ship visitor Phil Nolan went onboard. Phil felt that there was something wrong and advised AOS port chaplain Anne McLaren that the ship would need further visits.
The arrested ship: 'so rusty, you could not see any colour on it' |
Both Anne and ship visitor Snezhana Taylor were away on a training course so the information was passed to David Whateley of our ecumenical partners Mission to Seafarers. When Anne returned, she visited the ship. She then asked Snezhana to visit as the crew were all Russian and their English was limited.
Snezhana, herself originally from Russia, started to make regular visits. She soon discovered that there was a shortage of food onboard. The local ship's agent and chandler would not supply provisions until they received funds from the owners in Russia. The owners were making excuses, claiming to have sent funds to Antwerp which never appeared. Meanwhile supplies were dwindling.
Snezhana, right, with members of the crew |
Snezhana and Anne spoke to the agent who agreed initially to give them some money so that the crew could buy food. Delighted, Snezhana arranged to take some of the crew to the local Asda. Unfortunately, the agent then told her that the owners had given instructions not to hand over money. Snezhana arrived at the ship to find crew members dressed and ready to go. She had to explain to them that there was no money after all.
While the ship's owners dragged their heels over transferring funds, the risk was growing that the ship would be left without food. AOS decided to act to prevent the crew from going hungry. Snezhana brought the ship's cook and two other crew members to Asda where they selected £60 worth of food which AOS bought for them. Eventually, a few days later, funds arrived from Russia for further supplies.
The crew had initially been reserved with Snezhana. However her hard work on their behalf over provisions won their trust. Soon they confided in her that they had not received any wages for two months. Snezhana gave them information about the ITF, the international umbrella body for seafarers' unions. She was careful to leave it to the crew to decide what to do.
After a few days, the crew decided to refer the matter to the ITF in London. The ITF put them in contact with a trade union in Russia. AOS provided an international SIM card so that a representative of the crew could telephone Russia. Snezhana was able to act as translator and relay information back to the ITF in London.
Snezhana continued to visit the ship which she described as
"So rusty, you could not see any colour on it. The atmosphere onboard was stressed and depressed. There was nothing for the crew to do. They could not go into town as they had no money”.
She was especially concerned for the cook who was the only woman onboard among ten men. This is her first voyage and she was only 21 years old. Snezhana took her ashore a few times and also gave her a SIM card so that she could talk to her mother.
The crew had been at sea for six months. Two crew members were older and had come out of retirement because of the current financial crisis in Russia. Others had young families. There were pictures of their children in their cabins. One crew member told Snezhana that he had a two year old son whom he had not seen for six months. He said
"I'll have to introduce myself when I get home".
With the assistance of ITF in London and a counterpart in Russia, the crew were paid their two months outstanding wages. This improved their morale and the situation of their families at home. Five of the crew who had complained to ITF wished to be repatriated. However the ship owners refused, insisting that all crew stay onboard until they returned to St Petersburg.
All of the crew were very grateful for the help of AOS thoughout their time in Hull. The ship left for St Petersburg at the beginning of July to undertake further repairs. The crew presented with a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates to Snezhana. The chief mate told her
"Without you, we wouldn't have received our money".
Snezhana was sad to see them leave but pleased that she was able to help them during their difficult stay in Hull. Port chaplain Anne McLaren said
"We hope that their experience of our help will reinforce their belief that they are not alone".