No heating, so cargo ship crew used kebab grill to keep warm

A cargo ship detained in the UK was found to be in such bad condition that crew members had to keep warm using a kebab grill and light bulbs.

International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Inspector Tommy Molloy found the makeshift heating devices while investigating the Panama-flagged cargo ship Most Sky, which was detained on 8 November by UK authorities in Birkenhead.

Molloy reported serious problems with the engines, no heating – one crew member with a security light had rigged it up in his cabin as a means of heat, while another used an old kebab grill – and air ducts were broken and blocked-up with paper to stop cold air coming through.

Molloy also found there was no fresh food on board and the crew were using their own money to buy bread from a local shop.


Seafarer union Nautilus said a maritime solicitor had been provided for the crew of the Most Sky and the vessel had been arrested on their behalf for owed wages and repatriation.

Molloy said conditions onboard many vessels in 2010 – named the Year of the Seafarer by the UN’s International Maritime Organisation – were no better than 100 years ago. Molloy said: “It is no more the year of the seafarer than it was in 1910.


“The obvious question is how this vessel was allowed to leave the previous port, and the port before that.”

Nautilus said last month, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) detained seven vessels in UK ports for issues “that have no place in the operation of a seagoing vessel in 2010”.


One was detained in Lowestoft because the main fire pump was not working, there were insufficient life rafts, the sanitary system was broken and there was no fresh running water to the galley, pantry or shower room.

The MCA also discovered the ships had insufficient provisions, medicines were out of date and that distress flares, line-throwing appliances, lifebuoys, life-jackets with lights, immersion suits, satellite emergency position indicating radio beacon, fire extinguishers and fire hose nozzle were missing.


Source: IFW  18th Nov 2010












Molloy said: “It is no more the year of the seafarer than it was in 1910.



“The obvious question is how this vessel was allowed to leave the previous port, and the port before that.”