Groups help stranded sailors
LOCAL humanitarian and community organisations have rallied to assist stranded sailors aboard abandoned vessels in Durban Harbour.
Some of the 18 sailors have been aboard for months, unable to return home because their vessels have either been arrested by the International Transport Federation (ITF) under the maritime law, or have been abandoned by their owners.
Two vessels have been in the harbour for five years, while a third arrived last month from West Africa.
Among the stranded sailors are Indian and Bangladeshi nationals.
The Mission to Seafarers, an organisation dedicated to helping sailors in need, made the initial plea for help.
This week members of the Newlands Diwali Festival Organising Committee handed over food and basic necessities for the sailors.
Sangeeta Naipal, secretary of the organisation, said after hearing of the sailors’ plight, they decided to help.
“We had put out an appeal for donations and got a good response. It is about serving humanity. It doesn’t matter which country they come from. We provided dried and non-perishable food items, basic toiletries and some cash so they can buy airtime to call their families.
"If we knew five months ago, we could have assisted earlier. We will continue to assist them while they are here,” she said.
Captain Gqwetha Mkhize, South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) principal officer at the Port of Durban, said community organisations had been assisting the sailors after learning about their situation.
“The International Transport Federation arrested the vessels following complaints by the crew.
“The matter has now gone to court to recover salaries. Two of the vessels have been here for five years, but the crew have changed over the years. The longest some have been here is four months.
“They have been receiving support from various organisations such as Meals on Wheels, the Mission to Seafarers and other community-based groups. They have been in contact with their families. They are, however, not allowed to leave the port because of Covid-19 restrictions,” said Mkhize.
Sibusiso Rantsoabe, manager of OHS & Maritime Welfare, Samsa, said Meals on Wheels South Africa responded at short notice and provided the crew with food and cooking equipment.
“There is also the Newlands Diwali Festival Organising Committee (Nedfest) which after hearing about the plight of the seafarers in the media, approached Samsa and provided food provisions.
“The International Transport Federation has also provided money for food via the Mission to Seafarers, which is used to supplement whatever is provided by the two charity organisations.
“At the moment the seafarers are very grateful and feel that they have enough food to last them through February. The ITF has also procured fuel for the two vessels that can take fuels, which will help run the engine and generators.
“The Port of Durban has been providing water free of charge. Government units such as Immigration, Port Health and Border Police have allowed the seafarers to be allowed to leave the ship for vaccinations,” said Rantsoabe.