U.S. marshals have seized the tanker Sapphire Star at the Ship Channel because the vessel's owners allegedly owe 14 sailors $173,000 in wages for three months of work. Agents took custody of the Portuguese-flagged vessel Thursday at a privately owned dock after the sailors sued for back wages and other expenses. The workers from Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the vessel, its Norwegian owner LPG Ships I and its Italian manager Pianura Armatori. Officials with the Houston International Seafarers' Centers are helping the Sapphire Star's crew with Internet and phone access. It seems fewer ships are being seized compared to several years ago, said Ben Stewart, a chaplain at the center. He believes most now involve the worldwide economic slump rather than deliberate exploitation of sailors. He expects the Sapphire Star's payment dispute will be resolved soon. Attorneys for the sailors declined to comment. Source: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/bus ... 22010.html
|