Another ship, 18 Filipino seafarers, stranded off Baltimore

The Newlead Granadino has been stuck off Baltimore Harbor for a month for violations, with 18 Filipino seafarers who haven’t been paid. VESSEL TRACKER

SAN FRANCISCO – Yet another ship has been stranded in Baltimore Harbor in Maryland for more than a month, with 18 Filipino men on board, who are “tired, hungry, dirty,” unpaid and want to go home.

The Malta-based Newlead Granadino, based out of Malta, was already having engine issues before arriving in Baltimore where it was supposed to deliver asphalt and dock only a few days.

But the US Coast guard conducted an inspection and found several safety violations. The operator, Naviera S.A., is behind on paying for its lease on the ship, operation dues, and even the crew, according to a report by Foxbaltimore.com.

The bank that has the lien on the ship needs to come forward and take care of the issues and the men on board, said a spokesperson from the International Trade Workers Federation. The men have not been home in a year and were reportedly fishing off the side of the ship for food.

The Coast Guard visits them occasionally and they get some supplies from the Baltimore International Seafarers Center.

The men don’t have US visas and can’t come ashore. A third party ship management company intervened recently to try to get it all sorted out. It will be well into winter before the ship is fixed.