Ten sailors remain aboard Russian ship arrested at Canaries

09.12.2009 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: Atlantic Star (shipspotting.com)

Ten crewmembers stay on board Russian vessel Atlantic Star arrested mid-November at Las Palmas port(Canary Islands) and can not return home due to lack of money for air tickets, said in phone talk Antonio Rodriguez, the president of social Catholic organization Stella Maris to RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

"Last time I've been there on Friday when I brought 'em food – the box with fish and chicken. They're in despair, of course, wishing this mess to finish soon. I'm ready to help them in buying cheapest tickets and drawing up travel documents, but we haven't raised enough money yet", specified Mr. Rodriguez.

The vessel Atlantic Star flies Belize flag and is operated by Russian company West Coast Lines which head office is in St. Petersburg. The shipowner is Lantrovision Ltd registered in the Bahamas.

Until arrival at Canaries, Atlantic Star stayed at port of Dakar in Senegal for three months practically without means of support. As the sailors say, they "had to make an emergency call at the port of Las Palmas".

15-men crew has not got wages for last eight months and lives on aid of charity organizations; wage arrears make $231,631 now.

So far, five men returned home as their relatives could pay for air tickets. The rest ten can not afford it and have to wait for help from Russian and Ukrainian consulates or any Spanish charity organization.

Social Catholic organization Stella Maris takes care of sailors turned adrift by employer. On Nov 9 the organization laid an action against the shipowner and employer with demand to recover all arrears. Upon the direction of local judge, Las Palmas port authorities detained the vessel on Nov 12.

Francisco Palero, the lawyer hired to conduct the Stella Maris case has already filed the final claim accompanied with all required documents. The vessel is arrested.

According to Mr. Palero, neither representatives of shipowner nor operating company have contacted him or the judge so far.

"The whole story seems strange to me. The indebtedness is not so high to leave off property to the mercy of fate, especially as the vessel is in good condition and may serve for years. If the shipowner does not show up and pay off debt, the vessel will surely come under hammer. We've already have some companies concerned", explained the lawyer.

Judgment proceedings may last several months, but sailors are free to return home, he said.

"Once the ship is sold, we will transfer them all their money", added Mr. Palero.