DMW assures aid for repatriated seafarers

DMW assures aid for repatriated seafarers
Marita Moaje March 20, 2025 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1246482

ASSISTANCE. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac meets with repatriated Filipino seafarers at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City on Thursday (March 20, 2025). He assured the crew members of the cargo ship MV Solong of government assistance. (Photo courtesy of DMW)

ASSISTANCE. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac meets with repatriated Filipino seafarers at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City on Thursday (March 20, 2025). He assured the crew members of the cargo ship MV Solong of government assistance. (Photo courtesy of DMW)

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured the eight repatriated Filipino crew members of the Portuguese flagged container ship MV Solong of all the necessary government assistance and support.

The DMW, in a social media post on Thursday, said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasized that the government remains committed to the welfare of Filipino seafarers affected by maritime incidents, following the clear directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Cacdac met with the repatriated seafarers at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) office in Mandaluyong City after their arrival in the country on Tuesday.

“The eight Filipino seafarers were among the crew members aboard the MV Solong, a container vessel that collided with Oil Tanker Stena Immaculate at the North Sea on 10 March 2025 off the northeast coast of England,” the DMW post read.

Cacdac said the Filipino seafarers were safely repatriated to the country in coordination with the licensed manning agency, the principal, and the Philippine Embassy via the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in London.

“All of them received financial assistance from OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) and the DMW,” he said.

Cacdac, however, said that one of the Filipino seafarers aboard MV Solong remains missing.

“The official investigation into the cause of the incident is still being undertaken by the UK authorities in coordination with the flag states of the vessels,” he said.

The DMW said the agency is in touch with the family of the missing seafarer and has assured full government assistance.

Earlier, Cacdac said the DMW is mulling taking legal action against the manning agency of the Filipino seafarers.

Meanwhile, the Humberside Police in England said that the captain of MV Solong has been charged.

“The captain of the Solong vessel, Vladimir Motin, 59 years old, of Primorsky, St. Petersburg, Russia, has been charged with Gross Negligence Manslaughter,” it said. (PNA)