The crew of a ship which has been detained in Aberdeen Harbour for the last year due to non-payment of wages have thanked the north-east community for keeping their spirits afloat ahead of a crucial court hearing this week.
The Indian seafarers of the offshore supply vessel Malaviya Seven have been stuck in the north-east since last June, after a routine inspection discovered that they had not been paid in months.
Now, more than a year on, the men have still not been paid the around $800,000 USD (£613,000) they are owed by GOL Offshore.
They fear that if they leave the boat and go home to their families in Mumbai, they could forfeit the cash owed to them by the company – which is now in liquidation.
But over the course struggle, the stranded crew have been given a great deal of support by a number of community and volunteer groups in Aberdeen.
One such group is the Aberdeen Seafarers Centre (ASC), and its port chaplain Howard Drysdale, 62.
Throughout the last year of his crew’s fight to get their wages, Mr Drysdale and the ASC have worked hard to help the stranded men in any way they can.
Mr Drysdale, who earlier in his life served in the Royal Navy, said: “I’ve known the crews of the Malaviya boat for the better part of 13 years, so we have a long history together.
“Ever since their recent troubles started we’ve had our doors open to the men.
“We’ve been making sure they’ve always got plenty of food and water, mobile phone cards to keep in touch with home, we’ve even taken them to football games – everything we can to help keep their morale up.
“I think so far, we have probably spent more than £10,000 on the ship, which is a lot for a small charity, but it’s all worth it.”
The crew hope that this Thursday’s court hearing will result in permission being granted to sell the ship.
Proceeds from the sale would go towards paying the men what they are due.
Captain Lal Behair Singh said: “The Aberdeen Seafarers Centre and many other Aberdeen organisations have shown us so much kindness in our time here.
“We just hope that Thursday will bring some positive news, and get us closer to going home.”