Crew will not jump ship, embassy says

The remaining crew members on the fishing vessel Sky 75 will keep working, because their conditions have improved since 10 crew jumped ship in Nelson last week, the Indonesian Embassy says.

The men fled the Korean-flagged ship last Wednesday and turned themselves into police a day later, claiming they had been physically and verbally abused. They have since been flown back to Indonesia.

Yesterday, Indonesian Embassy consular officer Ali Sungkar visited the eight remaining crew members in Nelson and was informed they were happy to keep working on the vessel.

Mr Sungkar said he could not comment on the conditions on the vessel as the embassy's role was solely to interview workers about their situation.

However, the remaining crew members had confirmed that there was some truth to the men's allegations but conditions had improved since the men walked off, he said.

"They said they still wanted to work with the ship, because obviously for them there has been improvements after the 10 crew left the ship. If these improvements stay, they will stay on the ship," Mr Sungkar said.



"I'm not saying that they are happy, but they're saying that they will try."

Mr Sungkar would maintain contact with the men to ensure their welfare was being looked after alongside efforts being made by the Department of Labour, he said.

Meanwhile, the International Transport Federation wants the New Zealand-based charterer of the vessel, Poseidon Pacific, to invite media to tour the Sky 75.

Poseidon Pacific has denied claims that crew have been mistreated, but ITF's New Zealand co-ordinator Kathy Whelan said a media tour would expose the truth.

"The ITF stands by its claims and we are happy to go down to the Sky 75 with media to do a tour of the vessel, talk to crew and uncover the reality of pay and conditions," she said

Ms Whelan said Indonesian media had shown interest in Sky 75, with a story published in the Jakarta Post.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has added its backing to calls for further action against the operators of the Sky 75.

Maritime Union general secretary Trevor Hanson said it was time the spotlight went on the foreign-owned fishing vessels.

"If these operators have nothing to hide, they will be happy to have members of the media tour the vessel, and have the charterers provide evidence the workers were being paid and treated in line with New Zealand laws."

- nzpa