Fourthman 1
18 seafarers abandoned on the Fourthman 1 (IMO 9181508, flag Saint Kitts and Nevis) in Lagos, Nigeria, 1 May 2023. ILO case 905, status: Resolved.
- Status
- Resolved
- Abandonment ID
- 905
- IMO Number
- 9181508
- Flag
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Port of Abandonment
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Abandonment Date
- 1 May 2023
- Notification Date
- 5 March 2024
- Seafarers
- 18
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Seafarers have been on board for 18 months despite repeated requests to be repatriated.
Updates
9 April 2024: International Transport Workers' Federation
The crew have been repatriated and all wages have been paid.
14 March 2024: Viet Nam
Immediately after receiving notification from from IMO and Vietnam Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) had contacted the ship manager (Red Star Energy Company Limited) to investigate and verify the case information. According to the ship manager's report: While the cargo owners were carrying out the relevant procedures for goods in Lagos, Nigeria, the state management agency in Lagos informed that the shipowner can only replace seafarers after goods procedures are completed.
Currently, Red Star Energy Co., Ltd. is focusing on working with cargo owner to resolve procedures for goods. Seafarers on board are still being paid their wages in full and promptly every month, the living and working conditions on the ship are still guaranteed. Red Star Energy Co., Ltd commits to proactively arrange schedules and pay all repatriation costs for their seafarers.
Vinamarine also contacted the Vietnam Consular Department to discuss the case and request support to protect Vietnamese seafarers on M/v FOURTHMAN 1.
According to the latest update from Red Star Energy Co., Ltd, Nigerian Navy will allowed 02 seafarers (Vu Ngoc Anh, Dang Hong Minh) to be signed off on 15th March 2024, The remaining 05 seafarers whose contracts have expired will be repatriated next week. To ensure the legitimate rights and interests of seafarers, Vinamarine respectfully request assistance from IMO to ensure that all crew members are disembarked and repatriated home.
13 March 2024: Saint Kitts and Nevis
Please see attached correspondence sent via Diplomatic channels on 06 February 2024. To date, we have not received any acknowledgement of receipt nor updates on the actions requested.
The St. Kitts and Nevis International Ship Registry requests the kind assistance of the Nigerian Navy in facilitating the repatriation of the crew onboard the vessel at reference, consistent with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
As of December 2023, the following crew members have been onboard because of a situation that has already been resolved. Their presence on board to date is inconsistent with the Convention and their contractual obligations.
1) Vu Ngoc Anh - 18 month on board
2) Dang Hong Minh- 14 months
3) Nguyen viet Tan -14 months
We require your prompt assistance in ensuring that the crew are allowed to be signed off, disembarked and repatriated home from the vessel’s current location. Understandably, the unusually long time on the vessel, under these circumstances, is beginning to affect their health.
5 March 2024: International Transport Workers' Federation
The crew have informed us that the vessel has a new owner