NORTH AMERICA

..and stranded Filipino seafarers

22 years ago

Long Beach Board of Harbour Commissioners voted to contribute US$5,000 to the International Seafarers Centers Stranded Seafarers Fund to help 16 stranded Filipino seamen. Their vessel, the bulk carrier KATERINA, was seized in September in a health and safety investigation while calling at the California United Terminals facility in Long Beach.

The winner of the tender has until late December to complete the study.The 39,200 square metre Vopak facility mainly handles chemical products, petrochemicals and vegetable oil.

Authorities granted the crew immunity for their testimony but will not allow them to return home until they have testified in court against their captain, officers and shipowner, DST Shipping of Greece. A court hearing is scheduled for mid-January. The International Seafarers Center organized a campaign among the local maritime community to gather donations to house, clothe and feed the stranded seamen. Because the seamen haven’t been granted work permits while awaiting the court hearing, the Seafarers Center raised money to send to their families in the Philippines.