The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) detained toil products tanker Tintomara (IMO 9234599) at QAL’s South Trees wharf in Gladstone on Friday February 23rd due to allegations of underpayment and poor working conditions.
Members of the 26-person crew were currently speaking to The Observer at the Mission to Seafarers headquarters at the Gladstone Marina. AMSA had been conducting a general inspection of the ship when members of the crew complained about their treatment at the hands of their captain and chief officer. The allegations included a culture of bullying, non-payment of overtime and long working hours. Crew members were said to have lost weight due to a lack of food. AMSA has now detained the ship until its owner either removes the captain and chief officer or flies the crew home to their home countries of Philippines, Bangladesh and India.
Tintomara had arrived in Gladstone on February 22nd from New Orleans, transporting caustic to QAL. The Chief Officer has reportedly been removed from the ship and crewmembers have been given cash.
2003-built, Liberia-flagged, 26,914 gt Tintomara is owned by Celestial Buss Investments care of Fareast Shipmanagement HongKong Ltd of Hong Kong. It is entered with Swedish Club (to November 30th 2018) (Asia Team).