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beached at Alang 05.12.14

Sri Lankan ship "Lanka Mahapola" still stuck in Durban, changes flag to Tanzania

Durban - The saga of the troubled Sri Lankan cargo vessel detained in the Durban Harbour continues, as allegations of its sale and change of flag resurface. A well-placed Sri Lankan maritime source told the Daily News the government-owned ship was bought by the maritime company that had chartered the vessel and had also not paid for its use. The SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said the MV Lanka Mahapola has changed flag from Sri Lanka to Tanzania, but it is not aware of a sale. The vessel was first placed under arrest in May, after the Durban High Court granted an order for a maritime lien – the attachment of a ship as property in lieu of a debt. The 26-member crew had enlisted the help of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, as they had not been paid $85 000 (R712 513) in wages and had complained of dreadful living and working conditions. After an inspection, Samsa also detained the ship for not complying with international safety standards. The authority’s CEO, Sobantu Tilayi, said the cargo vessel was “in a very bad state” and lacked valid certificates. The ship has been docked in Durban since May 17. The crew has since been paid and returned to Sri Lanka in June. http://www.thepost.co.za/sri-lankan-ship-still-stuck-in-durban-1.1370379

Crew home one month after detention

A group of 18 Sri Lankan crew members of the "Lanka Mahapola" vessel returned home in the afternoon of June 16, nearly one month after the vessel was arrested by the authorities for several reasons. They arrived at the Bandaranayake International Airport at 1.30 p.m. on a scheduled flight from the United Arab Emirates. The ship will be allowed to leave Durban once the required repairs are carried out. Report with photos: http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/06/17/lanka-mahapola-crew-coming-home-ship-detained/