Master, Chief Officer Removed from Chemical Tanker over Crew Harassment
Illustration; Image Courtesy: BrodotrogirThe master and chief officer of the Liberian-flagged chemical tanker MV Tintomara have been removed from the tanker after Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) found that they were harassing the crew.
The ship was inspected on Friday, February 23 following a complaint regarding alleged breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.
AMSA spokesperson told World Maritime News that the allegations were related to inadequate provisions of food and water, underpayment of wages and harassment by the senior crew.
“During the initial inspection on Friday, AMSA’s inspectors were satisfied that adequate provisions had been supplied and that crew had been paid correctly, however, payment of wages appeared to be two weeks late,” AMSA spokesperson said.
“The allegations of harassment by senior crew were substantiated.”
As a result, the ship was detained over the weekend while AMSA was coordinating with the ship’s onshore agent and operator the replacement of the two senior officers.
“The chief officer was removed by the agent on Friday evening and the master by an MLC auditor appointed by the operator on Sunday evening.
” The agent sourced a temporary replacement master who boarded the ship on Sunday evening while the operator flew in a permanent replacement,” AMSA’s statement reads.
AMSA reinspected the Tintomara on Monday, February 26 and was satisfied that the ship fully complied with all the relevant international standards, including the Maritime Labour Convention.
MV Tintomara, built in 2003, was released from detention shortly after the inspection on the same day.
Based on its latest AIS data, the MR2 tanker is underway using engine, bound for Singapore, where it is estimated to arrive on March 12.
World Maritime News Staff
