Tanker crew stuck onboard for four years, metres from land

The five-member crew of oil tanker MT Iba is tantalisingly close to shore, yet still unable to set foot on dry land. Four years into their voyage, they’re still aboard the 5,000-tonne vessel long after its owner abandoned it in the Gulf.

Alco Shipping fell into financial trouble and stopped paying their salaries 32 months ago, according to Reuters.

The crew was left to fend for itself, relying on donations from charities they contacted for food and hygiene supplies.

The tanker ran aground in Umm Al Quwain, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, in late January, after rough seas severed both of its anchors and pushed it to shore.

Indian engineer Vinay Kumar told Reuters that he’s “seen hell during this voyage. We are like slaves … We’re begging for food.”

Alco Shipping did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The crew is collectively owed around $230,000. The company has reportedly offered a settlement of $150,000.

Read the full article in Reuters.