The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has called for an investigation into the disappearance of 45-year-old seafarer who was reported missing on 13 March 2018 onboard the livestock carrier ‘Galloway Express’, bound for Australia.
According to data provided by ITF National Co-ordinator Dean Summers, the police boarded the vessel when it docked in Townsville, Queensland, on Tuesday, but Mr. Summers called into question their understanding of the crew’s language and culture. In addition, he claims, an ITF inspector sent for investigation by the missing’s family was harassed by company representatives onboard the ship.
The livestock carrier, owned by Vroon, is a Flag of Convenience vessel registered in Singapore and has been allegedly chartered by Australian-based Harmony Agriculture and Food Company.
Mr. Summers highlighted parallels with ‘Sage Sagittarius’ case back in 2012, which brought harassment issues at sea on the spotlight.
The disappearance occurred in international waters and should be investigated by the AFP who have experience on dealing with these cases following the high-profile case of FOC Sage Sagittarius in 2012 where three seafarers died, and the NSW coroner found at least two were victims of foul play.
AMSA is expected to conduct an unrelated livestock pre-loading inspection later today.
