Verify the vessel before hiring

The Seafarers' Union of Russia cautions its members against engaging in employment on MV Old Warrior (IMO 8422137), as the shipowner persists in recruiting seafarers for work aboard the vessel, despite the fact that the trawler has been detained by Norwegian port authorities due to its substandard technical condition. 

The fact there were problems on board the vessel became known after a crew member from MV Old Warrior applied to the union and asked for assistance in signing off from the trawler as soon as possible. As it turned out, the story of the ship's crew is similar to many others. 

The crew was hired in Murmansk to sail to Africa for fishing. But the seafarers never made it to the African continent. When seafarers embarked the vessel and saw its technical condition, they filed a complaint with the Norwegian Port State Control: the crew members emphasized that they were not ready to cross the Atlantic on a rusty old vessel. The inspection confirmed their complaint and detained the trawler until the deficiencies were corrected. 

The seafarer who applied to the union decided not to stay on board; he was determined to sign off from the vessel and asked SUR to assist him. 

By the way, he hasn't still received any money for the period he was on board the trawler. The remaining crew members continue to keep watch on the detained MV Old Warrior. 

The SUR highly recommends seafarers to join the union and verify the company and the vessel before employment, so as not to end up in a situation like the crew of the trawler.