ITF media release: ITF raises concern over Swanland loss
News Release
International Transport Federation (ITF)
December 15, 2011
The ITF has highlighted the need for the Shipping Industry to urgently
learn the lessons following the tragic loss of life on the Swanland ship
and expressed our deepest sympathy to the seafarers' families involved.
The ship perished in adverse weather conditions in the Irish Sea on Sunday
27th November 2011 with six seafarers losing their lives. At the current
time we know that the ships registered owner is in the UK, the ship
manager is Torbulk UK and that the vessel was last surveyed by Lloyds
Register. It was flagged in the Cook Islands but was trading around the UK
Coastline.
The ITF is concerned as to how the ship came to break up in the Irish Sea
and we urgently wish to establish all the facts surrounding the incident.
We note that the MAIB are investigating.
The ITF places on record its deepest sympathy for the families of the
bereaved seafarers. The ITF's Russian affiliate, the Seafarers Union of
Russia, is providing moral and financial support to the families and also
communicating with the company.
Given the background of UK Government cuts to the Coastguard, and the
termination of the existing contract to Emergency Towing Vessels, this
incident highlights the urgent need for the UK government to ensure there
are sufficient resources to effectively police the UK Search and Rescue
area.
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson, direct line: +
44 (0)20 7940 9260. E-mail: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS' FEDERATION - ITF: HEAD OFFICE, ITF House,
49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR,Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733, Fax: + 44
(0) 20 7357 7871, Email: mail@itf.org.uk Web-page: www.itfglobal.org
learn the lessons following the tragic loss of life on the Swanland ship
and expressed our deepest sympathy to the seafarers' families involved.
The ship perished in adverse weather conditions in the Irish Sea on Sunday
27th November 2011 with six seafarers losing their lives. At the current
time we know that the ships registered owner is in the UK, the ship
manager is Torbulk UK and that the vessel was last surveyed by Lloyds
Register. It was flagged in the Cook Islands but was trading around the UK
Coastline.
The ITF is concerned as to how the ship came to break up in the Irish Sea
and we urgently wish to establish all the facts surrounding the incident.
We note that the MAIB are investigating.
The ITF places on record its deepest sympathy for the families of the
bereaved seafarers. The ITF's Russian affiliate, the Seafarers Union of
Russia, is providing moral and financial support to the families and also
communicating with the company.
Given the background of UK Government cuts to the Coastguard, and the
termination of the existing contract to Emergency Towing Vessels, this
incident highlights the urgent need for the UK government to ensure there
are sufficient resources to effectively police the UK Search and Rescue
area.
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson, direct line: +
44 (0)20 7940 9260. E-mail: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS' FEDERATION - ITF: HEAD OFFICE, ITF House,
49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR,Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733, Fax: + 44
(0) 20 7357 7871, Email: mail@itf.org.uk Web-page: www.itfglobal.org