News Update – 9th to 16th Feb

Tugboat sinks off Batangas, triggers oil spill — PCG | Inquirer – 9th Feb

MANILA, Philippines —  A tugboat sank off Barangay Subukin in San Juan, Batangas, causing an oil spill in the area, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1727838/motor-tug-sinks-in-batangas-causing-oil-spill-pcg

Seafarers Wages Bill: government’s response to P&O Ferries’ jobs massacre lacks teeth | Nautilus – 10th Feb

The UK government is yet to close the legal loopholes that allowed P&O Ferries and its chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite to run roughshod over employment rights and led to the sacking of 786 seafarers last year.

https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/seafarers-wages-bill-positive-step-but-wont-close-loopholes-exploited-by-p-and-o-ferries/

 Two years on, heartache remains but lessons still to be learned from Ingenika tug tragedy | ITF Seafarers – 11th Feb

Two years on from the sinking of the Ingenika and tragic loss of two of the mariners onboard, cost pressures are still putting tug crews’ lives in danger, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has warned – will we never learn?

https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/two-years-heartache-remains-lessons-still-be-learned-ingenika-tug-tragedy

Harbour pilot dies after falling overboard off S’pore’s Southern Islands  | The Strait Times – 12th Feb

SINGAPORE – A harbour pilot from PSA Marine died on Saturday after he fell overboard in the waters off the Southern Islands.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/harbour-pilot-dies-after-falling-overboard-off-southern-islands

Stena Line: Engine fire breaks out on ferry carrying nearly 150 passengers to Pembrokeshire | ITV – 13th Feb

Emergency services were called to respond after a fire broke out on a ferry travelling between the Republic of Ireland and Pembrokeshire on Saturday (11 February) night.

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2023-02-12/engine-fire-breaks-out-on-ferry-carrying-nearly-150-passengers

Africa could be green jobs leader as shipping undergoes low carbon revolution | ITF Seafarers – 15th Feb

Experts from the Maritime Just Transition Task Force told Africa’s maritime leaders in Accra today that their continent was well placed to take a large share of the new jobs and training places expected from shipping’s green transition.

https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/africa-could-be-green-jobs-leader-shipping-undergoes-low-carbon-revolution

SIU stays on course with leadership changeover and relishes new challenges ahead | ITF Seafarers – 15th Feb

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) offers congratulations to Michael Sacco who has retired as president of the Seafarers International Union (SIU) in North America and to David Heindel who has been unanimously approved as the SIU’s new president.

https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/siu-stays-course-leadership-changeover-and-relishes-new-challenges-ahead

Land’s End: Fishing crew rescued from sinking vessel | BBC – 15th Feb

The crew of a Belgian fishing vessel that struck rocks and sank off Cornwall have been reported “safe and well”, HM Coastguard has said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-64647055

Seafarer survey launches | Splash 247 – 15th Feb

A new seafarer survey is launching designed to investigate what the most important contributing factors are to making shipping a better workplace.

https://splash247.com/seafarer-survey-launches/

Shipping: Seagoing vessels and more than 350 seafarers stuck in Ukraine | Indo NY – 15th Feb

Almost a year after the start of the Russian war of aggression, 62 international seagoing vessels are still stuck in Ukraine, according to the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR).

https://www.indonewyork.com/business/shipping-seagoing-vessels-and-more-than-350-seafarers-stuck-in-ukraine-h71298.html

ILWU, ITF, help to secure wages, safety of Burmese seafarers in Port of Tacoma, WA | ITF Seafarers – 16th Feb

Tacoma, WA—The actions of the Puget Sound Inspector from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) with support from members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 23 helped to protect a group of vulnerable seafarers who were being grossly underpaid and who feared for their safety after receiving threats for standing up for their rights.

https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/ilwu-itf-help-secure-wages-safety-burmese-seafarers-port-tacoma-wa

 

Rebekah Attard | Maritime Assistant

Inspectorate Coordination

International Transport Workers’ Federation

Direct Line: +44 (0) 207 940 9103

ITF Seafarers Support’: +44 (0) 7523 515097

 

www.itfseafarers.org | www.itfshipbesure.org

www.facebook.com/itfseafarerssupport

 

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