Jane Ruffino: The treatment of seafarers is such an under-discussed crisis in labor rights, and I hadn’t realized these guys were still trapped, 3km from shore. This is beyond cruel.

The treatment of seafarers is such an under-discussed crisis in labor rights, and I hadn’t realized these guys were still trapped, 3km from shore. This is beyond cruel.

I can't believe that not only are the crew of this ship still confined to the ship *because they don't have visas* but they've also had their phones confiscated so they can't be in touch with family

Crew trapped on Baltimore ship, seven weeks after bridge collapsewww.bbc.com Morale is low for the Dali's crew members, who are stranded on board by the ongoing investigation into the tragedy.

This isn’t the same situation because it’s not an abandonment, but it’s useful context because ship abandonment is a big and growing issue in seafaring. There’s so much exploitation to pay attention to in the supply chain, but this genuinely boggles the mind.

The shameful abandonment of seafarerswww.politico.eu An increasing number of sailors are being abandoned by their vessels’ owners, left stuck on board sometimes for months or even years.

I understand people connecting this as a US issue, but the crisis is global and while the US context is where it’s happening, conditions for seafarers are a global problem.

US sailors are protected by unions: ILBU, SIU, SUP etc. That is precisely why most shipping lines use sailors from other countries with weaker or nonexistent union protections for their sailors.

Yes, I know this. I’m just getting a lot of replies/quote replies from people who think this is only happening because it’s the US.

Spot-on.

The stories about things like ship abandonment are really harrowing! And then maritime law is MESSY. My lawyer friend started walking me through a fairly simple case that didn’t even involve vulnerable workers, and after about 2 hours, he was nowhere near done.

It came up in Ireland a while back. Modern day slavery.

They’re often incredibly vulnerable, especially as ships go under all sorts of flags.

But also only 21 dudes? Really? On a ship with this big? Jose Andres needs to bring them a meal asap

Article did say they have been getting Indian food donated from nearby restaurants to give the cooks a break, it does sound like the community is doing their best to care for them while they are stranded

Oh absolutely, and I’m glad they have advocates, but it shouldn’t be hard for the authorities to, ya know, not leave them trapped.

Yep, agree 100%

"They are part of the ship." -USCG Admiral

That sounds very slavery-ish.

Wait until you learn about cat food!

“Beyond cruel” is the founding ethos of the US and it’s persisted down through the centuries.

I mean did you see those horrific articles about fishing boats in the New Yorker recently? It's very alarming!

I was actually looking for it because I didn’t get a chance to read it! Was reading a little about ship abandonment and listened to part of the Outlaw Ocean podcast. Absolutely harrowing stuff.

I was so impressed with the journalism! Messages in bottles to document human rights abuses - absolute heroism.

Now I really need to dig this up!

www.newyorker.com/magazine/202... and www.newyorker.com/news/news-de...

The Crimes Behind the Seafood You Eatwww.newyorker.com China has invested heavily in an armada of far-flung fishing vessels, in part to extend its global influence. This maritime expansion has come at grave human cost.

Ian Urbina doesn't appear to be on Bluesky

Thank you so much!

Wasn't that also the case with the Ever Given in the Suez Canal?

Seriously. Way up there on the list of jobs with high mortality rates.

Yeah, and when you read about some of the things that go on, it’s like, “wait, is this happening in the 21st century?”

Here's P&O ferries bid saying he has to underpay staff because they are foreigners www.bbc.co.uk/articles/ceq...

P&O boss admits he couldn't live on £4.87 an hour crew paywww.bbc.co.uk Ferry group chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite earned more than £500,000 last year.

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