Queen Helena[disputed]
IMO9341354
Abandonment ID: | 00423 |
Ship name: | Queen Helena[disputed] |
Flag: | Panama |
7-digit IMO no.: | 9341354 |
Port of abandonment: | Fujairah, UAE |
Abandonment date: | 3 April 2019 |
Notification date: | 28 February 2020 |
Reporting Member Govt. or Org.: | International Chamber of Shipping (ISWAN) |
No. of Seafarers: | 6 |
Nationalities: | India(6) |
Circumstances: | Ship has been arrested since 3 April 2019 by Fujairah court. |
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Actions taken: | Other Reported the matter to P&I Club, flag state Indian consulate and FTA
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Repatriation status: | 1 December 2020: Repatriated Crew were earlier repatriated home.
Repatriation pending 12 out of 18 crew were repatriated by help of P&I Club on 19 July 2019, however, the remaining 6 crew are stll on vessel.
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Payment status: | 1 December 2020: Payment Pending Pending wages issue still remain.
Partially paid USD 94,750 for 6 crew. P&I Club paid wages from March till June 2019 as per MLC obligation. Since July 2019 seafarers are not being paid wages.
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Comments and Observations: | Govt. of India (9 March 2020) I am directed to refer to your mail dated 02.03.2020 on the above subject and to state that the vessel Queen Helena was abandoned by ownerv manager i.e. IWs Folk shipping LLC, Dubai on 03.04.2019 ay Fujairah port Anchorage. The vessel was arrested by National Bank of Fujairah, UAE vide a vessel arrest proceeding before the court of Fujairah for their unpaid debt on the vessel owners. 2. It was reported to the Directorate that the p&I club is providing provisions, bunker and fresh water to the vessel. And the p&I club has also paid four months wages to all the crew members. 3. Further with the help of P&I club, 2 crew members had successfully been repatriated on 17 & 19 July 2019 respectively, after which 06 were remained on board. 4- P&l club (west of England - Hellas Lrd) had also appointed local raw firm Insc. Dubai to assist in repatriation of 06 crew & their legal documentation to release the Indian sea man book (CDC) from the Fujairah Court. 5. The Consulate General of India in Dubai, vide letter dated 12.03.2020 has informed that they have taken the matter at various levels with FTA, port Authorities and Lawyers of Ir,I/s National Bank of Fujairah. They have indicated that they are in regular touch with the crew of said vessel and that the auction of vessel is in process. 6. This Directorate is continuously following up the matter with the Consulate General of India, Dubai and further updates in the matter will be intimated/communicated to you in due course of time.
Non-governmental Organization (1 September 2020) From ISWAN 12 out of 18 crew were repatriated with help of P&I club on 19 July 2019, however the remaining 6 crew are still on vessel. It's been more than 12 months that they are on the ship and they have not been paid wages.
ITF (25 September 2020) Crew has taken case to court. Port has accepted to allow the remaining 6 crew to leave (other crew already left). Coast Guard is holding passports and waiting for no-objection from court for crew to leave. P&I paid 4 months for those who have left. The remaining 6 crew will receive 4 months when they leave.
Non-governmental Organization (23 October 2020) From ISWAN Remaining 6 crew have been repatriated on 6th October 2020. Their wages are still pending from July 2019 to Sept 2020. Crew have received 4 months wages from P&I Club from March to June 2019. They are hopeful to receive balance of wages once ship gets auctioned.
Non-governmental Organization (1 December 2020) From ISWAN Pending wages issue still remain. Crew were earlier repatriated home.
Govt. of Panama (31 December 2020) Through Email dated March 11, 2020, this Administration informed that we have granted prompt assistance upon request. P&I repatriated 12 crewmembers from 18, on July 17 and 19, 2019, and four months were paid by the P&I. The remaining crews were not keep on board due to abandonment, rather it was due the arrest of the vessel and the unwillingness of all parties involved to urgently take over the vessel maintenance and replace the 6 remaining crewmembers, thus keeping them from being repatriated by P&I. Remaining 6 crew have been repatriated on 6th October 2020. Their wages are still pending from July 2019 to Sept 2020. Crew have received 4 months wages from P&I Club from March to June 2019. They are hopeful to receive balance of wages once ship gets auctioned.
Non-governmental Organization (15 January 2021) From ISWAN Crew concern still remains same. They have not been paid wages.
Non-governmental Organization (2 February 2021) From ISWAN The ship will be auctioned today – 2 Feb 21 through online court proceedings in UAE. Crew have not received salary till date. They have returned home last year though.
Non-governmental Organization (21 December 2021) From ISWAN Based on last last communication with seafarer on 9th December 2021, no development regarding payment of pending wages.
Non-governmental Organization (20 April 2022) From ISWAN Based on communication with seafarer on 23rd March 2022, there has been no development regarding payment of pending wages.
Non-governmental Organization (4 August 2022) From ISWAN The seafarer do not have any update regarding this case. The last email he received on 6th April 2021 from P&I (West of England Hellas) Limited shared that "Kindly note the UAE court has yet to issue the distribution list for the payments of the auction proceeds". Since then seafarer has sent them multiple reminder requesting for updates and he is yet to hear response.
Non-governmental Organization (18 October 2022) From ISWAN Based on my communication with seafarer on 29th September 2022, there has been no development regarding payment of pending wages for 6 crew.
Other (31 March 2023) From ISWAN Based on communication with seafarer on 29th March 2023, there has been no development regarding payment of pending wages.
Govt. of Panama (19 July 2023) Through Email dated July 04, 2023, P&I Club have informed the following: "... We have been advised by Club’s lawyers that they estimate the time frame for the case to be concluded (payment of auction proceeds) December 2023. ... "
Govt. of Panama (20 March 2024) In response to the labor complaint filed against the vessel ·'QUEEN HELENA". with IMO No. 9341354, we provide you with the latest communications:
I. Through Email dated February, 02, 2024, addressed to P&I Club, we do follow up of his last communication where is indicated that "We have been advised by Club's lawyers that they estimate the time frame for the case to be concluded (payment of auction proceeds) December 2023", Can you provided us with an update of this case?
2. Through Email dated February, 05, 2024, P&I Club indicated the following: "Unfortunately the have been delays/objections from the claimants on the tlistrib11tio11 list for tire proceeds of the auction. We do know that the crew will be receiving their outstanding wages once the funds are eventually distributed. We hope this matter will be concluded by the end of March 2024. We will keep vou undated."
Govt. of Panama (16 September 2024) In response to the labour complaint filed against the vessel “QUEEN HELENA". with IMO No. 9341354, you will find the latest communications:
I. Through Email dated July 04, 2024, addressed to P&I Club, PMA do follow up of his last comments about the case of “QUEEN HELENA”, and requested to provide us with an update of this case?
2. Through Email dated July 05, 2024, P&I Club indicated the following:
“…Thank you for your below message and unfortunately the appointed lawyers are still waiting for the funds to be distributed from the Court. There have been appeals filed between the various parties which has delayed the process. The appointed lawyers have filed a Motion to release the crew wages as there are no appeals against the judgement but the estimated period for the funds to be released should be two to three months. We will keep you updated on any developments. …”
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