Crew for troubled polar tour firm say they haven't been paid in months

Crew for troubled polar tour firm say they haven't been paid in months
Leyland Cecco 31 Oct 2019

Canada-based One Ocean Expeditions cancelled recent trip to Antarctica after it was unable to purchase sufficient fuel

An adventure travel company that charges upwards of US$20,000 for a single trip to polar regions has failed to pay many of its contractors in nearly a year, leaving some unable to cover living expenses, according to current and former crew.

Polar cruise boom harming the Arctic, explorer warns

One Ocean Expeditions – which announced on 29 October plans to restructure amid financial difficulties – also cancelled a recent trip to Antarctica after it was unable to purchase sufficient fuel, abruptly returning guests to a port in Argentina before it reached the southernmost continent.

“Unfortunately, the difficult reality is that in recent months, we have fallen short of these high expectations that we have set for ourselves as a leader in the expedition cruise industry,” the company announced on Facebook.

While it struggles to refund passengers and booking companies, the troubled British Columbia-based company has failed pay its many contractors for months, according to ten current and former crew members interviewed by the Guardian.

Many of the guides and workers aboard ships run by One Ocean, who come from all over the world, requested anonymity for fear they would be unable to find work in the industry if identified.

Inuit fear they will be overwhelmed as ‘extinction tourism’ descends on Arctic

Until recently, they have been hesitant to speak out about unpaid wages, worried that a bankruptcy could mean they are never compensated for their work. But the recently cancelled trip – and announcement the company is restructuring – has prompted worries the company could soon collapse without repaying its debts.

“The people that have been hit the worst are the people that really invested themselves in the company and worked full seasons for them – and worst of all, the people who are couples, with both members of the couple dependent on the company for the income,” said Sam Edwards, who worked as a guide for two seasons in Antarctica.

conitinue...https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/31/polar-tour-crew-canda-one-...