14 Pinoy crew of deserted Korean ship fly home — report

At least 14 Filipino crewmembers of a ship abandoned off the United Arab Emirates for nearly three months have flown home, a UAE news site reported Saturday. Khaleej Times said that 14 Filipino crewmembers flew back to their home country on Wednesday night while seven Korean crewmembers, including the captain, have been lodged in a Dubai hotel since Monday. The 21 officers and crew aboard the “Samho Dream" were taken off the ship this week after they ran out of fresh water and fuel, the report said. Samho Shipping Co. Ltd. — operator of the ship — failed to provide Samho Dream with fuel, food, and water, it added. Before departing for their homeland, the Filipino crew thanked the local authorities, especially the Dubai Maritime City Authority, and the representative of the International Registries Inc. of Marshall Islands. “We also want to thank the Overseas Workers Welfare Association in Philippines and our Labor Attache with the Philippine Consulate in Dubai for their involvement in taking us out of the ship," said third engineer Predelyn Dela Cruz. “But of course we wouldn’t have got this much support without the Khaleej Times articles," he said, recollecting that a Dubai-based bunkering company had donated provisions to Samho Dream after reading about their situation. Dela Cruz said their terrible experience had made the Philippine government to put the sinking company on its watch list. “Our government has also warned our local manning agency Solpia Marine and Ship Management Inc.," he added. Horrible ordeal Recounting the ordeal he went through, second mate Levy Asendente said he was in grief that his father would no more be at home. “He passed away a month back. I had requested Samho Shipping to allow me to go home." Jose Everito Apolinar, the boatswain in the ship, said he had never been stranded like this in his 23 years’ experience. “It’s very difficult to manage things at home without my salaries. I have two sons and a niece going to college," he said. The crew who went through a saga of frustration and anxiety said they were still worried if and when they would get their dues. Two other vessels While the crew aboard “Samho Crown" and “Samho Jasper" are still awaiting their turn to be rescued, those on board Samho Dream saw the silver lining to the clouds surrounding the vessel earlier this week. Their master, Captain Son Huil, is upset about his ship’s current status. Anchored off Rashid Port, Samho Dream, like the other two vessels lying within a distance of a few nautical miles, has kept the tow line ready in case it needs to be towed away in an emergency situation. “It’s risky to leave the ship like that. That is such a big ship. It is about 330 meters long. But we had no other option. I think the authorities are keeping a watch on her," Huil said. — JE, GMA News