
Issue No 14		21 May 1999

News

Robin Hood Strikes Again

By Zoe Reynolds - MUA Media Officer

A collision off Guam has become the latest focus for the MUA's campaign against flag of convenience ships.


	Mid Pacific Collision Highlights Flag Fear

Able seamen Ricky Lumio was one of six crew working down number 2 hold on the Pamananian flag of convenience Halo Cygnus on the afternoon of March 8 when the second ship hit: "I heard a big crash and water cascaded in, then I looked starboard and saw the bow of a ship come through the hold. I ran for my life. We were all shouting. I got to the ladder and climbed up with the water wrapping itself around me, chasing me all the way up. I was soaked through."

The two bulk carriers, Halo Cygnus and the Las Sierras, both flying the Panama flag of convenience, were on route to Australia, 600 nautical miles southwest of Guam when the collision took place. It was a fine still day in the tropics just north of the equator. US Coast Guard, Guam reports the seas were flat. Visibility was excellent.

According to crew reports the second mate and radio operator were on watch on the deck of the Halo Cygnus shortly before the collision. The Las Sierras was just a dot on the horizon. The second mate later told the surviving crew that he got a call to change course and went to the bridge.

The ship had been heading for the northeast coast of Australia. It was redirected to the west coast. The radio operator had seen the Las Sierras in the distance by telescope. He then went back to his radio portside.

Minutes later the giant bow of the Las Sierras hit starboard, smashing through the side of their ship. Six of Ricky's workmates were trapped down the flooded hold, two of them tangled in ropes they were using to wench themselves up the side they were cleaning. The impact of the water spun the ropes around them like a web, dismembering one man's hand.

It was a terrifying two hours after impact before the call came to abandon ship. All surviving crew were moved on board the Las Sieras. But within 48 hours ship management ordered them back on the sinking bulk carrier to pump out ballast water and keep the now badly listing Halo Cygnus afloat.

Chief engineer Godofredo Hermoso was first back on board. "We worked each day, staying on the rescue boat at night. It took six days before divers from Guam reached the vessel and retrieved the bodies. All this time we worked the ship while our dead crew mates decomposed down the hold. Thesmell was terrible. All we could do was tie handkerchiefs around our noses. Each day I worked I had the same strange experience. Around 3 or 4 each afternoon, around the time of the accident, I heard voices calling for help. I could not understand what they were saying. Their words were drowned out. I just heard their screams. They were my friends and workmates. The evening before the collision we had a karoki party in theTV room. We were all singing. All but one of the dead had wives and youngchildren. The eldest was only 38 years of age. The youngest was only 22.

By the time they recovered the bodies their faces were so decomposed they had to get my friend Ricky to identify each of the dead by their clothing. The corpses were then put on the tug with the surviving crew and transported back to Guam

"Yes, I had to identify the bodies. I cannot say what it was like. I was sorry for them,"said Ricky.

Not only did Godofredo have to work with other surviving crew among the dead on the sinking ship, he was also asked to join a skeleton crew on board while it was towed to Japan. "Four crew stayed with the ship., but I decided it was unseaworthy. When the company proposed I sail with it, I refused."

Only for intervention from the International Transport Workers' Federation, Godofredo may have had no choice. The ITF voiced concern for the welfare of the survivors and alerted its Philippines office which contacted crew.

An inquiry into the ship collision will now be left to Panama were both ships were registered so as to avoid scrutiny of safety and crew conditions in the fist place. "It will be a whitewash," said ITF Australia Co-ordinator Trevor Charles. "These ships get away with murder. "

Only this February the ITF head office in London released a damning report on the state of the Pamananian FOC registry. The report brands Panama 'Number One' deficient flag state in the world. It catalogues an "appalling record of maritime casualties, port state control detentions, ships abandoned and seafarers cheated out of their wages, among other serious deficiencies."

The ITF estimates that Panama earns around US$20 million a year for selling its flag, but takes none of its responsibilities as a flag state seriously. With its open registry Panama supports a system which exploits seafarers and undermines the shipping industry," said ITF Assistant General Secretary

Mark Dickinson. "It creates an environment for crooks to make profit at the expense of seafarers and to operate in total secrecy. For the sake of a few dollars Panama shames itself in the world of shipping. It sells the lives and rights of thousands of workers ."

Nearly half the 6188 Pamananian registered ships (over 100 GT) are owned in Japan and all but a minority of seafarers are supplied through 'manning agents' from labour hire countries.

In 1997 alone, Panama lost more ships and more tonnage than any other flag state. It also boasts the highest number of port detentions, the highest deficiencies in certification, safety, navigation, pollution and operations of all flag states.

"Yet the Australian Federal Government is encouraging them to take over our trade," said Trevor Charles. "They are putting Australian ships and Australian seafarers out of business. They are making the abolition of cabotage a prerequisite for funding. Both Las Sierras and Halo Cygnus were Australian bound when they collided. The collision could have happened here, off our coast. It could have been an environmental disaster as well as a human tragedy."

Godofredo, is just one of the many victims of the Pamananian flag of shame - a broken man. Speaking from his home town in Cebu, he is still haunted by the cries of his dead shipmates and unsure he can ever return to sea: "I have a problem. I feel as if I'm going to have a nervous breakdown. The day after the accident I could not sleep at night. I saw a doctor in Guam. He gave me some pills, but I still could not sleep. I am seeing another doctor in Manila."

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  Issue 14 contents

Interview: Madame President
The new President of the NSW Legislative Council Meredith Burgmann has spent most of her life opposing authority. Now she has a chance to exercise it.

Unions: The ACTU Faces the Labour Hire Challenge
The enormous growth in labour hire and contracting out employment is creating a big challenge for unions worldwide.

History: The Wartime Women�s Employment Board
During World War II policy makers were forced to embraqce a unique wage-fixing method.

Labour Review: What's New from the Information Centre
View the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's fortnightly newsletter for unions.

Review: Origlass Biographer Keeps Red Flag Flying
The self proclaimed 'ultra-democrat', Hall Greenland, has described his relationship with the Balmain legend Nick Origlass as "Freudian".

International: Paddy's Payback
But for the Timorese many Australian diggers, like retired wharfie Paddy Kenneally, would have died at the hands of the Japanese during WW2. Now it's time to return the favour...

Campus: Tales from the Frontline
This week's successful VSU protests seem to have killed off Kemp's ideological agenda. We go live to the protest

» Call For IR Crisis Talks as Country Conference Looms

» Workers Sacked for Body Hire

» British Union Secures Free Net Access

» Cab Charge Wars: SBS Workers Fight for Their Lives

» State Wage Case Smooth - Except for Brack

» FOI Loopholes Could Leave Public Servants Exposed

» Drug Summit Misses Tokin� Gesture

» Public Will Lose Again From Rail Sackings

» Robin Hood Strikes Again

» CPSU shows it cares�

» Unions Take Action on Timor, Stolen Generation