Mariners on the Liberian-flag tanker Merlin received a Christmas present of sorts when the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) secured back pay and repatriation for them Dec. 24 in Bayonne, N.J.SIU ITF Inspector Enrico Esopa obtained $105,000 in back wages for the Filipino crew of the runaway-flag ship. He also secured repatriation for all 24 mariners along with a protective order barring the Greek shipowner from retaliating against the crew. Additionally, Esopa got the company to agree to make needed repairs to the boilers.
The episode began Dec. 16 when Merlin crew members contacted the ITF. Esopa went to the vessel – owned by Arrow Co. Ltd. – that day. The mariners told him about the unpaid wages plus boiler problems and other issues including hydraulic pipes that reportedly were deteriorating and leaking.
After confirming the reports, Esopa contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, whose inspectors promptly detained the vessel. During the next four days the company failed to live up to its promise of paying the back wages. On Dec. 20, U.S. Marshals arrested the ship.
With Esopa and an ITF attorney pressing the case, Arrow finally delivered all wages, allotments and leave pay due each of the 24 crew members, plus legal fees. Five of the mariners were repatriated to Manila from New York, while the rest were scheduled for repatriation from Aruba (the next port), where the vessel was to undergo repairs.
The ship was released from arrest Dec. 24.
“The crew was very grateful for the help they received from the ITF,” Esopa said.
Founded in 1896, the ITF is a federation of 604 transport trade unions (including the SIU) in 137 countries, representing more than five million workers. SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel serves as vice chairman of the federation’s Seafarers’ Section.
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