Seafarers rescued from unseaworthy cargo ship

Seafarers rescued from unseaworthy cargo ship
Ma. Theresa Ladiao July 4, 2025 https://www.panaynews.net/seafarers-rescued-from-unseaworthy-cargo-ship/

Filipino and Indian crew members of MV Hirman Star wave from the deck of their problematic vessel. They were rescued following weeks of being stuck off Loboc Port, Iloilo City due to the vessel’s unseaworthy condition and unresolved violations. PHOTO BY CONG. JULIENNE BARONDA
ILOILO City – Rescue and relief effort brought aid to six Filipino seafarers who were trapped for weeks aboard a foreign cargo vessel stranded off Loboc Port here — amid worsening conditions that included broken equipment, dwindling supplies, and unpaid wages.

The distressed seafarers were crew members of MV Hirman Star, a Vietnam-origin cargo ship carrying bagged rice, which has been stuck off Iloilo City waters since April due to multiple maritime violations. These included an expired trading certificate, faulty navigation equipment, and labor law breaches such as non-payment of salaries. Cracks in the ship’s hull eventually rendered it unseaworthy.

In a June 28 appeal letter, the Filipino crew reported they had not received food and water since May 12 and had refused orders from the vessel’s owner to sail using a defective compass. They sought urgent help from Cong. Julienne Baronda, who immediately coordinated with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

“Our office acted swiftly to help these seafarers who had no access to basic needs for weeks,” Baronda said after visiting the vessel aboard a Philippine Coast Guard boat on July 1. “We thank DMW and OWWA for providing financial support and the necessary steps to repatriate our kababayan safely.”
Each Filipino seafarer received P50,000 from DMW and another P50,000 from OWWA. Three of the six are from Iloilo — Tigbauan, San Joaquin, and Estancia — while the rest are from Batangas, Cebu, and Cavite.

Mayor Raisa Treñas also met with OWWA administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan to help fast-track support services for both the Filipino and Indian crew.

“Nagpasalig kita kay Administrator Caunan nga magabulig kita upod sa ila para sa mga stranded nga crew,” said Treñas. “Insigida nga nag-coordinate kita sa Port State Control kag Bureau of Quarantine. Maga-provide kita sang ila ilistaran kun makapanaug sila sa barko, magahatag sang pagkaon, kag ipa-check-up ang ila ikaayong-lawas antes sila magpauli.”

City Hall mobilized health units to conduct medical checkups for the repatriated Filipinos. Housing and food assistance were also extended.

Meanwhile, seven Indian nationals remain onboard the Hirman Star pending immigration clearance. Local and national agencies are working together to ensure their eventual repatriation and address the legal issues that led to the ship’s prolonged detention./PN