99% Invisible Abandoned Ships
May 4, 2021
Join Alex Atak, a producer from Kerning Cultures, as he sheds light on the harrowing lives of seafarers abandoned on cargo ships. They discuss the emotional and physical toll of being stranded at sea, with some workers trapped for years without pay or essentials. The talk also emphasizes the dangers of flags of convenience in the shipping industry and how neglect can lead to catastrophic incidents, like the Beirut explosion. Through personal stories, Atak highlights the urgent need for legal reforms to protect maritime workers globally.
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Mehmet's Story
- Mehmet Gulşan joined the Kinin Mete in 2019 for a seven-month contract.
- The ship's owners stopped paying the crew and abandoned them in Egypt.
Legal Trap
- International treaties oblige seafarers to stay on ships for safety reasons.
- Leaving forfeits their wages, trapping them in hopes of payment.
Why Abandonment Happens
- Ship abandonment often happens with smaller companies operating on tight margins.
- They run into financial trouble and can't afford ship operations or crew salaries.