Lifeline for seafarers on abandoned ships at Durban port
Two organisations have joined the maritime safety authority to provide relief to 18 seafarers who are aboard three abandoned ships at the Durban harbour.
Two of the vessels have been at the port for five years.
Authorities say the third arrived earlier this month.
A ship is said to be considered abandoned when the vessel's owner has not communicated with the ship for several weeks.
The shipowner fails to fulfil certain obligations to the seafarer relating to pay, repatriation and providing adequate food, accommodation and medical care.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority says the Mission to Seafarers and Meals on Wheels have come on board to help the crews on the three ships.
They are from India, Bangladesh and Iran.
Meals on Wheel's Germaine Cecil says they have been able to provide them with food and gas which can sustain them for about four weeks.
"We have contacted our one branch in Umbilo. Our director is just liaising with them to get some hot meals delivered to them. We are planning to assist again but again, Meals on Wheels is totally sponsored by the community.
"So we will have to watch and see what sponsors come through. It is quite a serious situation because they are not allowed to leave the vessels because they are not paid, they are not allowed to go home, they are not allowed to come off the ship into our country. They are just sitting in limbo. So I think that is the sad part."
