Liberian-flagged bulker detained in Australia for MLC breaches

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said in a statement on Thursday, March 28, that it has detained the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Anna Elisabeth after an inspection revealed a number of deficiencies relating to the working conditions of the crew under the Maritime Labour Code (MLC), 2006.

AMSA inspected the vessel at Port Kembla on March 26 after receiving a complaint from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) raising concerns about the welfare of the crew.

Once on board, the AMSA surveyor discovered a number of deficiencies including:

• Vessel not crewed in accordance with the minimum safe manning document
• Seafarer Employment Agreements
• No access to shore leave granted
• Rescue boat davit not fully operational
• Insufficient food provisions on board for length of journey

The ship operators have procured further food supplies ensuring that there were sufficient provisions on board the ship.

The vessel has been detained until the remaining deficiencies are rectified by the operator in consultation with their flag state administration.

All Australian registered and foreign flagged vessels within Australian waters must comply with the standards relating to the working and living conditions of seafarers set out in the MLC, the AMSA statement clarified.