SHIPPING SERVICES SHELVES SAMOAN SAILORS CLAIMS
By: Eirenei Toleafoa Ariu
Contrary to allegations by Samoan Sailor Taulapapa Pa’o Lauiliu, posted on-line in a video clip, all the 321 Samoan sailors employed across the globe are safe.
And claims by Taulapapa that the majority of the sailors feel abandoned by Government and the Samoa Shipping Services are untrue, refutes SSS General Manager Lautimuia Afoa Uelese Vaai.
Taulapapa claims that many of the Samoan sailors feared for their lives due to the COVID 19 pandemic. To that extend he demanded a repatriation initiative from Samoa for the sailors.
SSS General Manager Lautimuia responded to the allegations in an exclusive Q&A with Savali News.
Savali News; (SN): How many sailors and do they all want to come home?
LAUTIMUIA; There are 321 Samoan sailors employed overseas by the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s Cruise and Cargo ships.
Of that total, 257 sailors are working on cruise ships while 64 are employed on cruises. From the 64 cruise ship sailors, 35 (including Taulapapa) have completed contracts and are awaiting for the boarders to reopen before they can return home.
All their travel costs are paid by the employer company.
Overall, the contracts for 286 sailors are still in effect.
They are safe and secure. The 35 sailors whose contracts have ended are quarantined remain on the cruise ships per agreement reached with MSC for our cruise ship sailors to remain on board the vessels during the pandemic. Samoa is the only country granted this special privilege after MSC considered our isolation and the high risks involved for the Samoan crew members to be repatriated.
SN; SSS is in contact with them daily? Have they relayed any concerns about their safety?
LAUTIMUIA; Affirmative, We are in contact with our Samoan sailors on a daily basis through a group chat created by SSS since the COVID-19 SOE. Each vessel submits/posts a report to update on their situation including general and safety issues that may need immediate attention by SSS & MSC.
SSS is also continually in contact with MSC officials at Headquarters on updates of the Samoan seafarers work conditions and safety.
SN; Has SSS address the concerns raised by this particular sailor?
LAUTIMUIA; Taulapapa’s on-line post genuinely reaffirms his frustrations due to feeling homesick and wants to come home’. All the other allegations and innuendoes undermining the safety of our sailors are untrue and unfounded. At present 90% of Samoan crew members on-board disagree with his complaint. All Samoan sailors have been duly informed and are well aware of the situation as a result of the SOE COVID-19 lock-down.
SN; Are the sailors aware of the safety risk to travel and this is the best alternative not to mention the costs?
LAUTIMUIA; Affirmative, All our Samoan crew members have been informed of the risk if repatriated back to Samoa during the SOE COVID-19 Lock-Down.
Bringing them back to Samoa during SOE Lock-down will expose them to higher risk while transit countries affected by the virus. And so staying on-board at no costs to them and free of charge is much safer than taking the risk crossing countries affected.
But most importantly, SSS is also not taking any risks that will endanger the lives of over 200,000 local residents if any one of them contracts the virus on their return home.
All Samoan sailors are well looking after by the MSC, they have 3 meals a day, staying on board cruise ships with hotel environment, zero covid-19 exposure while on board. Our sailors are also receiving daily medical checks up.
It is unfortunate that Taulapapa had resorted to his on line post to vent his unfounded frustrations and I can assure the families of the Samoan sailors overseas that they are well looked after and every precaution is taken to ensure that they are safe from the virus.
On a final note, I humbly call on our country’s prayers for the Almighty’s blessings to continue to protect our sailors, our fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, uncles and cousins working on the high seas for their children, families and our country. God Bless.
