Crew Abandonment on Bulk Carrier
Background: In December 2024, the bulk carrier Grand Sunny, flagged under Panama, was abandoned off the coast of China. The all-Indonesian crew had been stranded for over a year without pay, adequate supplies, or means to return home. This incident is part of a growing trend in the maritime industry, where vessels are left unattended, and crews are neglected.
Compliance Failures Identified:
- Non-Payment of Wages: The crew had not received their salaries for several months, violating the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) standards.
- Lack of Repatriation: The shipowner failed to repatriate the crew after abandonment, leaving them stranded without support.
- Inadequate Living Conditions: The crew endured poor living conditions, with limited access to food, water, and medical supplies.
How SRS-MI Compliance Could Have Prevented This:
- Financial Security Requirements: SRS-MI mandates that shipowners maintain financial security to cover crew wages and repatriation costs, ensuring that funds are available in cases of abandonment.
- Regular Audits: Through regular audits and inspections, SRS-MI ensures compliance with international labor standards, identifying and addressing issues before they escalate.
- Crew Welfare Programs: SRS-MI emphasizes the importance of crew welfare, requiring shipowners to provide adequate living conditions, medical care, and support systems for seafarers.
