The sixteen sailors who have been left to their own devices for months after their vessel MT Surya Kuber got seized in Bahrain due to unpaid debts are finally going to return to their homes. 

Fourteen Indian sailors left Bahrain on Monday night, whereas the two remaining crew members from Myanmar are due to depart today, writes the Gulf Daily News from Bahrain. 

The crude oil tanker was banned by a court order in February from leaving the country as its Singapore-based owner 7Seas Ship Management failed to pay Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard (Asry) and Kanoo Shipping more than USD 220,000. 

In addition, the crew’s salaries were not paid since October, resulting in additional USD 118,000 of debt. 

The vessel came to Bahrain for repairs, but the ship owner failed to pay Asry for the services, prompting the shipbuilder to resort to legal action. 

Once faced with the legal claim, the ship owner and manager abandoned the crew leaving them without basic provisions. 

According to the order, the vessel will remain under detention until the debt is paid. 

The Indian Embassy paid for the seafarers’ tickets home. 

Source: www.worldmaritimenews.com Image: Shipspotting/Ivan Afanisiev