this post was submitted on 15 May 2024
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Crew stuck on Baltimore ship, seven weeks after bridge collapse (www.bbc.com)
submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 33 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

The entire article seems weird. They say "crew" but mean "property" - it's the ship that is trapped, the crew could be evacuated at any time, but as spoiled in one line:

"They're part of the ship. They are necessary to keep the ship staffed and operational," Adm Gilreath said. "They're the best responders on board the ship themselves."

And of course:

The crew, made up of 20 Indians and a Sri Lankan national, has been unable to disembark because of visa restrictions, a lack of required shore passes and parallel ongoing investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FBI.

So again, the reason the crew is stuck is that USA don't allow them offboard.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

So again, the reason the crew is stuck is that USA don’t allow them offboard.

Yes that seems to be exactly what the article is saying.

But honestly. This is pretty common world wide with shipping issues.

Most nations will only issue a temp visa to crew members. Based on the expected exit date of the ship. And even then only to nationalities with some form of visa agreement.

Most nations are required to meet the laws applied. And when the ship is safe. No emergency law applies. So the only ways a crew could leave. Would be to leave the nation with the ship. As is done in a sinking etc. Or for Congress to pass a law allowing immigration etc to give the passengers visas.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

This is pretty common world wide with shipping issues.

Crew stranded on a ship after huge accident isn't that common, i remember even US media calling entire thing "an emergency". I don't think we can compare to just regular shipping occurences when ship is in port waiting for load/unload/refuelling.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 5 months ago

The number of organizations involved, and their complete uselessness, just makes things even more pathetic and (at times) unintentionally hilarious.

“…Baltimore International Seafarers' Center, a non-profit organisation that works to protect the rights of mariners” is an actual nonprofit? Guess what, folks, you’re doing a shitty job! Somebody else is thinking about organizing a cricket match to take these guys to? Seriously?

I sure am glad there are at least two religious organizations involved, because “thoughts and prayers” always fix everything!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

That's really sick. If they wanted to illegally immigrate they could have done it anytime before the crash?! Poor bastards.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 months ago (1 children)

On the one hand, I can't believe no one has helped them. On the other, I absolutely believe it because anyone in a position to help is glad it isn't them so who cares.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

They are receiving some help from the Seafarer ministry which is who is supplying the crew with food, toiletries, wifi, and even bought the crew new phone to replace the ones seized by the FBI. Ambassadors from the India and Sri Lanka embassies have also visited the crew so I wouldn't be surprised if visas will be granted once the ship is back at a berth.

[–] [email protected] 49 points 5 months ago (2 children)

The crew, made up of 20 Indians and a Sri Lankan national, has been unable to disembark because of visa restrictions, a lack of required shore passes and parallel ongoing investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FBI.

Red tape and racism. I suspect that if they were say Dutch, accommodations would be made somehow.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 5 months ago

Unfortunately no, this shit happens all over the world, even not in "the west".

It's dumb everywhere. Put a fucking gpa boot on em if you need to, just let em off the boat

[–] [email protected] 18 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Nope.

This happens all the time. There have been people stuck on boats for months and even years. Generally they are waiting on something to resolve and the ship's accommodation is no worse than a local motel and facilities no less than the local town. What's needed is delivered.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Yea it's funny to see all the projection over 'stuck'.

These are Mariners who expect to be onboard for a long time, stuck at sea, as it were.

Mostly nothing to see at sea. Here they have a front row seat to rather interesting activities.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Wow damn. I hope they have something to read.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Don't worry, the FBI confiscated all of their phones but they received other phones and SIMs without data.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Would I risk drowning for netflix?... 🤔

[–] [email protected] 10 points 5 months ago

Holy shit I thought you were joking!