Seventeen Ukrainian mariners are safely back in their country, thanks to the combined efforts of the SIU, the U.S. Coast Guard, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and local residents of Wilmington, N.C.The sailors on Jan. 24 escaped certain doom when they were hoisted from the runaway-flag White Seal by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. The 600-foot freighter on which they were marooned was listing and taking on water after it developed engine problems. It was positioned off the North Carolina coast some 200 miles from Elizabeth City.
The vessel-registered in Tonga and headed from Haiti to Bridgeport, Conn.-was not carrying any cargo at the time of the incident, according to the Coast Guard.
After receiving a distress call at about 8 a.m. the day of the rescue, the four-man helicopter crew arrived on the scene, where it faced 20- to 30-foot seas and winds of 30 to 50 miles per hour.
"The winds were so strong," said Aviation Machinist Technician Warren Adams. "The pilot was fighting to keep the aircraft over the vessel. The pilots did a phenomenal job keeping the helicopter steadied."
Once aboard the helicopter, the mariners-ranging in age from 20 to 50-were flown to the airport in Wilmington, N.C. where they were turned over to U.S. Customs and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. After being processed, they were released to Tony Sacco, ITF inspector, who worked with the Red Cross and Salvation Army and arranged for their room and board in the local community.
"The word got around town (Wilmington) about the crew and their situation," Sacco said. "They had lost everything when their ship got in trouble, but people from the churches in Wilmington as well as other private citizens came to their aid."
"They provided them with clothing and other personal items," he continued. "My wife and I contacted local restaurants and hotels and secured free food and lodging for the Ukrainians until we could get them sent home."
Meanwhile, Sacco contacted Blue Ocean Line, the Bridgeport, Conn.-based operators of the White Seal in hopes of securing subsistence funds and wages for the crew. The sailors have not been paid since November. In addition to their wages, they should also be paid for lost property and distress, according to Sacco. The ITF is continuing strong efforts to secure compensation for the crew.
In the absence of such assistance from the vessel's company, Sacco turned to the SIU. After consulting with SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel" who also serves as vice chairman of the Seafarers" Section of the ITF—the decision was made to repatriate all 17 of the mariners.
"We decided to transfer them to the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., where they could remain until arrangements could be made to fly them home," Sacco said.
A bus from the maritime training campus on Feb. 14 went to Wilmington, picked up the Ukrainian crew and transported them back to Piney Point. The SIU then began making necessary arrangements-including the purchase of airline tickets-to get the crew home. Following a five-day stay at the Southern Maryland facility-during which time the Ukrainian sailors interacted extensively with many of their American counterparts-they said their goodbyes and departed from Dulles International Airport for their home country.
As of press time for the Seafarers LOG, no final resolution had been reached with Blue Ocean Line regarding the sailors' back wages or subsistence pay, according to Sacco.
"We have put a lien on any insurance money which they company may have coming," Sacco explained. "When obtained, it will be used to pay the sailors and reimburse the union for the airline tickets it purchased. The lawyers are still working on the particulars."
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