The Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) reported that a sickness outbreak on a ship originated after fresh food was loaded in Cape Town, South Africa. By the time the vessel arrived in Mauritius, a majority of the crew had fallen ill, with some requiring hospitalization. The union highlighted that this situation left only two of the six engineers capable of working at various times, compelling them to undertake extended 12-hour shifts alone, rather than the typical two-person, eight-hour watch system. AIMPE contends that these engineers deserve a “shorthanded” allowance due to their increased workload under reduced staffing conditions.
The ship’s employer, ASP Ships Group, has contested this claim, arguing that the vessel’s automated systems classify it as an Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) ship, which does not necessitate constant engine-room supervision. AIMPE disputes this assertion and insists that the company should compensate the affected workers. The estimated allowance claim ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. While ASP Ships Group acknowledged that crew members became ill during the voyage, they maintained that adequate personnel were present to ensure a safe journey to Australia.
This dispute has escalated to the Fair Work Commission, with a hearing scheduled for October 23. Concurrently, TT-Line is preparing to launch its new ferries, Spirit IV and Spirit V, on the Bass Strait route starting October 31. The illness-affected vessel’s sister ship, Spirit of Tasmania IV, is the first of two new ferries designed for the Spirit of Tasmania service, which connects Geelong, Melbourne, and Devonport in Tasmania. The new vessels are intended to replace the aging Spirit I and Spirit II, which have been in service for nearly 25 years.
Both new ferries were constructed in Finland and docked in Scotland, with Spirit IV remaining at the Port of Leith for several months, costing the Tasmanian government £22,000 weekly. The situation surrounding the ferries has drawn significant attention, with reports suggesting that the vessel has become a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, despite its controversial status in Tasmania. Local businesses have noted an influx of visitors intrigued by the situation, highlighting the ongoing political drama surrounding the ferries.
