RMS 1
12 seafarers abandoned on the RMS 1 (IMO 9418963, flag Panama) in Hamriyah, United Arab Emirates, 16 January 2026. ILO case 1703, status: Resolved.
- Status
- Resolved
- Abandonment ID
- 1703
- IMO Number
- 9418963
- Flag
- Panama
- Port of Abandonment
- Hamriyah, United Arab Emirates
- Abandonment Date
- 16 January 2026
- Notification Date
- 28 April 2026
- Seafarers
- 12
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Outstanding wages for 5 months
Seafarers applied to insurer?: No
Insurance certificate dates: 28th August 2025 to 28th August 2026
Updates
22 July 2026: International Maritime Organisation
I herewith forward the very urgent request for assistance regarding the extremely critical situation onboard ‘RMS 1’, in particular to the flag State Panama, the port State United Arab Emirates, and the seafarer State Pakistan regarding the 4 remaining crew members from Pakistan for your information and urgent action, as appropriate and to extend all necessary assistance in conformity with the attached joint IMO/ILO Guidelines on how to deal with seafarer abandonment cases.
22 July 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
(From the local ITF inspector)
Immediate action is required.
This email is intentionally addressed to all parties who may have the authority or ability to intervene. It is not sent on the assumption that responsibility lies with someone else. Every recipient is requested to review this matter and take whatever action falls within their competence. This humanitarian situation has now reached a critical stage and can no longer be allowed to continue.
Based on the correspondence below, the current situation as of 22 July 2026 is as follows:
Current situation
The vessel has been in complete blackout for eight (8) consecutive days after exhausting its bunker fuel.
The consequences are severe:
• No electrical power on board.
• No means of preparing cooked food.
• Fresh drinking water is almost exhausted, with approximately two days' supply remaining.
• No non-potable water available.
• The generators have progressively deteriorated and only one defective unit remains, which cannot be operated continuously.
• Extreme temperatures on board are creating a serious risk to the health and safety of the remaining crew.
The Chief Officer reports that repeated requests for assistance over approximately one month have not resulted in any effective intervention. He further warns that, should casualties occur, responsibility will rest with those who undertook to provide the necessary logistical support but failed to do so.
Crew situation
• The vessel was arrested on 13 September 2025 due to the owner's financial difficulties.
• All non-Pakistani crew members have already been repatriated.
• Only four Pakistani seafarers remain on board.
• These seafarers have now been stranded for more than ten months.
• They continue to request immediate humanitarian assistance and repatriation.
Timeline of deterioration
• Late June: Repeated requests for provisions and a replacement generator.
• End of June: Funds for food exhausted.
• Early July: Fuel and water reserves progressively depleted.
• Mid-July: Generators no longer capable of continuous operation.
• 21 July: Day 7 of complete blackout.
• 22 July: Day 8 of complete blackout, with almost no fresh drinking water remaining.
In addition:
• The owners have ceased communicating with the vessel.
• Master Crest Shipping has reportedly failed to respond to repeated requests for assistance.
The facts outlined above demonstrate an ongoing humanitarian emergency. The continued presence of only the Pakistani crew on board, while all other nationalities have already been repatriated, requires an immediate explanation and, more importantly, immediate corrective action.
Accordingly, all recipients are requested to take urgent action within their respective responsibilities to ensure that:
• emergency provisions, fuel, and drinking water are delivered without delay;
• the welfare and safety of the remaining crew are secured;
• arrangements for the prompt repatriation of the remaining Pakistani seafarers are implemented; and
• all parties involved communicate the actions taken without further delay.
This situation requires decisive intervention today. Continued inaction is no longer acceptable.
We expect confirmation of the immediate measures being taken.
23 June 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
Crew repatriated with their owed wages.
Resolved.
14 May 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
Please see attached email from the crew of the RMS 1 detailing the urgent situation on board.
The vessel presently at berthed at Hamriyah Port, UAE, and is in blackout condition, The crew members have not received wages for more than six months and are facing serious hardship, including limited drinking water and lack of basic necessities. Due to the extreme hot weather and non-functional accommodation, the crew are forced to sleep on deck.
ITF has been informed that the Harbour Master is refusing crew repatriation on the grounds of maintaining Minimum Safe Manning.
We understand that owners are planning to put the vessel in cold lay-up and are willing to settle the wage issues once they have approval for the crew to be repatriated.
ITF requests that Panama and UAE immediately issue all required authorisations for the crew to leave the vessel so that the case can be resolved.
I would appreciate acknowledgement of this email and confirmation that the required steps will be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the crew.
-------------------------------------------
Please be informed that we are observing here in the follow-up communications that, No one is taking any positive steps/actions on our repatriation and pending wages matters. Even we are continuously informing about our severe sufferings onboard due to extreme hot climate, mosquitoes and vessel atmosphere and living conditions, we cannot live inside accommodation even at night because all cabins are extremely hot due to this hot condition all crews are too much sweating which cause skin issues like itching, rashes and pustules. Also making us dehydrated. We all crew are very much restless & fatigue.
One crew reported suffocation, coughing and also one officer reported fever which shows symptoms like malaria , one officer reported sever back and shoulder pain due to sleep outside.
Therefore, considering all above the satisfaction onboard is completely difficult and UNSAFE.
As we are reported previously, some crew family member are in under medical treatment and some family member are require medical treatment at immediate basis for which their presence and financial support at home is very much necessary.
Here day by day life is going to be a very difficult and miserable, thus, making us frustrated and mentally disturbed.
Sir, it is our humble request to all that kindly repatriate us immediately otherwise we will become physically and mentally sick.
“PLEASE SAVE OUR LIVES”
Again we are requesting you all please act immediately with humanity. Please understand sir, No regulations and procedures are more important than human life.
We are eagerly waiting with a positive hope.
28 April 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
Vessel is arrested due to a dispute between supplier and owner. P&I withdrawn by company