UAE’s National Transport Authority (NTA) has come to the rescue of the 11 seamen aboard the stranded Iron Monger 3 vessel near the Khorfakkan port.
NTA last night sent its inspectors on a fact-finding mission to the vessel and are submitting a detailed report to the Khorfakkan Port officials.
Nine Indians and two Pakistanis have been surviving aboard the vessel in near critical condition.
Emirates 24l7 had earlier reported about how the ship had once again ran out of fuel, leaving the men without food in scorching heat.
Speaking to Emirates 24l7, the inspecting team from the NTA confirmed that the situation on the vessel was inhospitable and the men should be immediately be evacuated.
“The inspection was conducted last night. The report is in progress. The condition on the vessel is very bad, especially for the crew. It is technically unsafe for them to be there. They are in difficulty,” the inspector said.
According to him, the Captain of the vessel Qazi Iqbal Sami too has expressed his desire to leave the vessel.
“The report will now be submitted to the Khorfakkan port authorities who will then initiate further action,” said the inspector giving an indication that the crew of Iron Monger 3 could finally be rescued and brought to Khorfakkan port.
The vessel is docked eight nautical miles off the Khorfakkan port near Fujairah for the past two years and official papers shows ownership by a Taiwanese national and NAS Ship Management.
Emirates 24l7 first reported the plight of the crew in June.
The ship was due to sail to China to be dismantled and sold as scrap.
The crew who are currently on board say they have not been given salaries ever since they joined work.
“Some of the men left the vessel during the last few months abandoning their dues. Those of us who are here want our wages,” said one of the crew.
One of the crew is even scheduled to get married next month and is hoping to get some money due to him as wages before he leaves.