“We’re still living here in the vessel like a jail…we can not go outside, we can not make anything, we live only in the shipping and the berth and now also winter is coming…and we are afraid too much from the treatment [of us]”

London. UK. / Constanza, Romania. The stranded Panamanian flagged MV ALI BEY (IMO 9070515) crew who have been abandoned and detained alongside Constanza port in Romania since 30 November 2020 without wage payment and suffering challenging conditions onboard have provided Human Rights at Sea with updated video testimony as to their position which amounts to a bleak outlook.

Initially reported by HRAS 18 July 2021 with the first video testimony issued, the remaining four-man Syrian crew continues to remain in unnecessary limbo without full settlement of their wages owed, and which are reported to amount to USD $186,000

In an interview today with HRAS, Captain Abdullah Dahha, the Master of the vessel again laid out their challenges in securing all the wages they are owed, their poor living conditions on board and highlighted the local voluntary support which is keeping them supplied with food, water, and electricity.

Supported by the local ITF Inspector and an instructed local lawyer, backed by the ITF Seafarer team in London, the crew continue to wait for a legal solution to their case with real concerns as to their well-being as the month’s passes and winter conditions approach.

Captain Dahha explained to HRAS:

“Our lives are lived between the berths…we are now just sitting between the berth and the ship.

“We want 100% of our wages, that is $186,000 [USD] but they are offering us $110,000…and this offer was by a strange man who came to the ship and I refuse.

“ITF bring supplies and food for us… but we need to finish this case.”