Death ship sails after crew cuts deal

A log ship on which two seafarers died of suspected asphyxiation has left Marsden Pt after surviving Burmese crew members were promised repatriation once they reach South Korea.

The TPC Wellington sailed at 1pm yesterday after the Maritime Union reached a deal with its South Korean operator to release the vessel's 10 remaining seamen ratings from their contract in Busan, and to pay the costs of flying them home to Burma, also known as Myanmar, as well as wages and a bonus.

International Transport Workers Federation inspector Grahame McLaren earlier reported that morale was at rock-bottom after the ship's South Korean first officer and a Burmese seaman died in a hold on Monday, and the remaining crew just wanted to go home.

That followed a separate accident on the same day after which another Burmese seaman was flown home with an injured shoulder, and the death two months ago of a crew member who the South Korean shipping line Trans Pacific Carriers said choked after a drinking session.