A Latvian ship has been stranded off the Irish coast for almost six weeks in a dispute over safety, the International Transport Federation claimed today.
Inspector Ken Fleming accused the Latvian and Irish authorities of abandoning the Fortuna One, which has been anchored a mile from Greenore, Co Louth, in a dispute over pay and conditions.
The port authorities are refusing the crew access and the ship cannot sail home because of safety concerns over lifeboats and ventilation hatches.
"We have been friends (with the Latvians) for years but that friendship has been stretched to breaking point. They are despairing with no hope," Mr Fleming alleged. "It has gone beyond conditions like heating, this is incarceration with no crime and we all have to resolve this."
After the 11 shipmates unloaded the Fortuna's cargo of steel bars, the ship was ordered to leave its berth and has been moored at the entrance to Carlingford Lough ever since. Mr Fleming said the Coastguard had ordered the boat's detention but had not returned to inspect repairs.
"It is bizarre. They just vanished, there is no response, that is disappointing to say the least. "The crew are entitled to walk away from their jobs because it's at anchor but we would be breaching Irish marine laws for abandoning her so I need to get her into port."
He said Latvian authorities who certify the ship's safety were refusing it a permit to sail home and added that there had been a battle to ensure that the crew were even paid.
"The money came in drips and drabs but we have succeeded in having them all paid but they now just want to get to shore," he added.