Ban on Tanker After $120,000 in Unpaid Salary

Upon learning that crew members were due more than $120,000 in salaries, officials barred an oil tanker from entering Australian ports for six months.

The AG Neptune tanker, which flies the Liberian flag, was examined at Queensland's Port of Gladstone after the Australian Maritime Safety Authority received a complaint regarding the welfare and underpayment of seafarers there. They discovered evidence during the inspection that 21 seafarers were not having their employment agreements honored and that the crew as a whole was due more than $120,000.

Authorities discovered evidence that the food and water consumed by seafarers did not meet acceptable requirements for quantity, quality, and nutritional content. They also said that it was known that one seafarer who was hurt on board did not receive proper medical attention.

"Australia has zero tolerance for the underpayment of crew. This type of behaviour is unethical and in contravention to the (Maritime Labour Convention)," said executive director of operations Michael Drake.

"The international conventions that protect seafarers' rights are very clear." added Drake.

Due to several violations of the agreement, the authority impounded the tanker, and its operator was mandated to make up unpaid wages and correct faults. Two crew members had expired Seafarer Employment Agreements, and the seafarers were regularly underpaid at regular intervals.