Saltwind Explorer
21 seafarers abandoned on the Saltwind Explorer (IMO 9483243, flag Marshall Islands) in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, 8 April 2025. ILO case 1420, status: Resolved.
- Status
- Resolved
- Abandonment ID
- 1420
- IMO Number
- 9483243
- Flag
- Marshall Islands
- Port of Abandonment
- Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
- Abandonment Date
- 8 April 2025
- Notification Date
- 7 August 2025
- Seafarers
- 21
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Crew reports that there is insufficient drinking water onboard and that they have resorted to collecting rainwater for drinking. They also report insufficient food quantity and quality
Seafarers applied to insurer?: No
Insurance certificate dates: TBC
Updates
28 August 2025: International Transport Workers' Federation
Vessel berthed on 6 August and received fresh water from shore sources upon arrival.
Resolved
28 August 2025: International Transport Workers' Federation
This can be changed to ‘Resolved’.
27 August 2025: Marshall Islands
(From the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator)
Re your notification below, thank you for bringing this case to our attention.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator (the Administrator) as the flag State for the SALTWIND EXPLORER (IMO# 9483243) is providing the following comments regarding the proposed entry to the ILO/IMO joint database on abandonment:
• According to the vessel abandonment report details (attached), it is reported that the flag State was notified on 4 Aug 2025. However, the Administrator has no record of being contacted by the ITF regarding this case. The initial notification was received on August 4th from the ITF, who contacted the operator directly, with the Administrator only copied in the correspondence (no direct communication had been established between the ITF and the Administrator).
• The Administrator noted the operator responded to the notification promptly, exploring alternative means to supply the vessel while at anchor, and that the required provisions were supplied after the vessel berthed on 6 Aug 2025, which was confirmed by the ITF inspector and considered closed.
• At no time was the vessel or crew abandoned, having reported a concern of imminent depletion of provisions, which had been promptly rectified once the vessel was permitted by port authorities to proceed to berth. Accordingly, the Administrator considers this investigation closed, and requests the incident is not recorded as an abandonment case in the IMO/ILO joint database.
I remain available to provide any requested details pertaining to this matter, or elaborate further on any aspect if needed.
21 August 2025: Other
(From the IGP&I)
Regarding the case of the SALTWIND EXPLORER I have contacted Britannia who have investigated the matter with their member. I can report the following:
The ship managers were contacted by the ITF on 4 August 2025. At this time the crew still had about 30 cases of drinking mineral water on board as per the master’s confirmation. Orders had already been placed with the designated company for supplies and management of provisions, but it was not clear when the next delivery of provisions including drinking water could be arranged. This was due to the fact that the port authorities had frequently revised the berthing schedule which resulted in berthing being pushed back on a daily basis, so that it was difficult to arrange deliveries. The port had been placed on notice (through agents) regarding the berthing delay and there were ongoing efforts to arrange alternative delivery at anchorage.
The ship proceeded to berth on 6 August 2025 and on 7 August 2025 the ITF were informed by the ship managers that the ship had been supplied with fresh water and that delivery of bottled water and provisions was imminent. The ITF confirmed on the same day that the matter is considered closed.
I hope with the information provided above that this matter can now be considered resolved. Grateful if ITF can confirm.
17 August 2025: Marshall Islands
(From the International Registries, Inc)
Please accept this as acknowledgment of your email and that I will revert asap with any information we may have.