Attempts to sail detained Ben Nevis ship from Aberdeen condemned by RMT
They've called it a 'flagrant breach of international maritime law'
Seafarers Union RMT have condemned attempts by global offshore services to try and sail the detained Ben Nevis ship from Aberdeen harbour - as maritime offences against the crew have yet to be resolved.
The offshore supply ship was detained in Aberdeen with claims of unpaid wages to staff onboard.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“This is a disgraceful attempt by Global Offshore Services to put the Ben Nevis back to sea whilst seafarers still have unsettled wages, in breach of international maritime law. RMT is concerned for the welfare of those seafarers and their families who have gone unpaid for months.
“This is not the first instance of Indian owned and crewed vessels undermining international law in UK waters and we call upon Government and industry to look closer at those parties responsible for this abuse.
“We need cabotage laws in UK waters which build stronger national minimum standards in alliance with the Maritime Labour Convention in order to drive out employers in the maritime supply chain who profit from employing seafarers on terms and conditions which constitute modern slavery.”