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Financial Crisis Strands Ship, Crew In Port Manatee

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By PETER BERNARD

News Channel 8

Published: February 17, 2009

A dozen crewmembers of the freighter Rio Magdalena are waiting for air tickets to return to their home countries and pay for the last month and a half of work.

The owners of the ship, which is tied up in Port Manatee, say the poor economy caused them to pull the plug on operations to Central America. They said the men are being offered transportation back to Honduras.

Ship co-owner Teresa Fletcher said the men will be paid eventually, but would not state when that could occur.

Eduardo Jaen, the Rio Magdalena's captain, said getting his back wages is not his priority.

"Right now, we just want to leave. That is the main thing for us right now. Because, uh, like you say 1 1/2 months is almost, look like plenty money, but we go home right now, we losing less," said Jaen, who is from Panama, in broken English.

He said if the men can return to their home countries, they can get work on other vessels.

The crewmembers have been stuck at Port Manatee for about 10 days. A port-based ministry called Anchor House is helping them while they await their fate.

"We've gone out with our assistance monies and bought them some clothes, groceries, a period of time and we've given them free phone cards so that they can keep in touch with their families," said Robert Ritsema, Anchor House's chaplain.

The men hope to be reunited with their families by this weekend. In the meantime, the International Transport Workers' Federation is working to hammer out an agreement with the ship's owners to pay back wages.

If they cannot come up with a deal, they may ask a federal judge to "arrest" the ship and hold it until the owners fulfill their obligations.

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