US coastguard detains arrested ship
Lloyd's List
Friday 22 October 2010
THE US Coast Guard has detained the Panama-flagged general cargoship Secure in Miami, after a port state control inspection of the vessel threw up serious inadequacies.
The development could be a respite for the beleaguered crew, at least two of whom have said they have not been paid for 10 and 14 months respectively.
The International Transport Workers' Federation is trying to help the crew, which is said to number nine in all, including the master. However, sources on Thursday expressed concern that time might still be running out for these men.
USCG Lieutenant Commander Michael Lingaitis told Lloyd's List on Thursday that a detention order on the 1972-built, 2,499 dwt Secure was in the process of being issued. The ship's port state control inspection had thrown up inadequacies in "various areas", he said.
Sources said required repairs probably would run into six figures , while the 38-year-old ship itself might be worth a lowly price in the open market.
Lt Cmdr Lingaitis said that although the USCG would play no direct part in the crisis involving the crew, it would still require a basic crew complement to remain onboard the detained ship. The USCG requirement of adequate manning while the ship is in detention would be fulfilled even if a replacement crew is drafted in.
Under an arrest enforced by VG Investments, to whom a claim by original bunker provider Shoreline Marine Fuel Delivery has been assigned, Secure already has been separately attached by the US Marshal at quayside in Miami.
The ship apparently has a deeper story. One man - the Ukrainian chief engineer - recently died onboard in Kingston, Jamaica, and his family contacted the ITF for assistance both in recovering his body, and for his unpaid wages of $36,000.
Sources involved with attempts to get the crew to avail of US legal protection before they are repatriated after the plaintiff gains possession of Secure said they had their fingers crossed that the unpaid crew would not be replaced on the detained ship.
According to Equasis, Det Norske Veritas classification on Secure was withdrawn in December last year, with class transferred to a "non-International Association of Classification Societies society".
