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In a shocking turn of events, the St Kitts and Nevis ship registry is facing severe criticism for allegedly shirking its duty towards over 30 stranded seafarers. The registry stands accused of deregistering three ships, effectively abandoning the crew members onboard, a move vehemently condemned by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

The Med Sea Eagle and the Med Sea Fox, anchored off Sharjah in the UAE since July, along with the Med Sea Lion in West Africa, have all been deserted by the owners, Sea Lion Shipping. These seafarers have endured months without pay, lacking essential support for their well-being. Shockingly, the Med Sea Lion was discovered to be harboring a significant stash of cocaine earlier this year. With dwindling food and water supplies, and many in urgent need of medical assistance, the situation has become dire. Tragically, one individual from the Med Sea Eagle was driven to attempt self-harm due to the distressing circumstances. ITF inspectors report a widespread deterioration in the mental well-being of these seafarers.

The St Kitts and Nevis flag has confirmed to the ITF that it has indeed deregistered all three ships in response to their abandonment. However, despite over a week passing, they have yet to provide an explanation as to why they took this action while seafarers were still onboard and facing imminent danger.

David Heindel, ITF seafarers’ section chair and president of the Seafarers International Union, did not mince words, stating, “St Kitts and Nevis is playing fast and loose with international law… It is morally unacceptable to leave these seafarers to rot on stateless vessels. By merely deregistering these vessels, it should not relieve them of their obligations. If it’s that easy, what good do our international instruments provide in protecting seafarers.”

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC – 2006), which St Kitts and Nevis has ratified, lays out explicit responsibilities regarding the welfare of ship crews, particularly in cases of abandonment by shipowners. It unequivocally states that if shipowners fail to support seafarers, and insurers do not step in, the flag state assumes responsibility for the seafarers’ well-being.

In the face of Sea Lion Shipping’s financial struggles and unresponsive insurers, the MLC places the lives of these seafarers squarely in the hands of the flag state.

“This case throws into sharp relief the lunacy of the Flag of Convenience system,” remarked Steve Trowsdale, ITF inspectorate coordinator. “Countries like St Kitts and Nevis see registering vessels as a money-making opportunity but do not put the resources in place to properly regulate their ships. The world’s economies absolutely rely on ships like these, yet they continue to tolerate this flawed system. In doing so, they are continually putting the lives of seafarers at risk.”

This is not the first time St Kitts and Nevis has come under scrutiny, as it faced criticism for the abundance of so-called shadow tankers in its fleet during the initial year of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The spotlight on the registry’s actions in this triple abandonment case casts a long shadow over their maritime practices.