Kenya’s Merchant Shipping Act of 2009 fails to protect abandoned seafarers, particularly on fishing vessels. Its narrow definition of ‘seafarer’ and outdated provisions neglect fishing crews, creating a two-tier system. Despite ratifying the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, the Act’s deficiencies persist, leaving fishers without enforceable rights and protections.
The Australian Border Force intercepted and destroyed two foreign fishing vessels off Western Australia’s coast to crackdown on Indonesian incursions into protected waters. The vessels, suspected of illegal fishing, were seized with 12 fishermen detained. The ABF found over 400 kilos of cucumber and 360 kilos of salt onboard.
Two recent marine accidents involving commercial fishing vessels highlighted the dangerous stowage conditions that compromised the effectiveness of life-saving equipment on board. Crew members were unable to access personal flotation devices and liferafts due to inconvenient storage locations, resulting in tragic consequences. The Coast Guard issued safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A six-day inferno engulfed the Kodiak Enterprise due to inadequate fire reporting, resulting in a $56.6 million total loss. Crew members escaped unharmed after a nearby deckhand spotted the fire and alerted them. The NTSB highlighted the ship’s faulty notification system and stressed the importance of regular testing for wireless monitoring systems.
