An ITF inspector was physically assaulted by a ship’s Master in an unprecedented attack. The assault happened onboard a vessel which was being investigated by the Inspectorate of the ITF for failing to comply with safety regulations, and for apparent irregularities in crew pay and conditions. The company is a well-known European shipowner, with their vessel flagged to landlocked Luxemburg.
Trowsdale said that the ITF would not be releasing the names of the inspector and the Master to protect their privacy, nor wider details of the incident as the Federation considers its options for pursuing matters via legal avenues.
Trowsdale said the ITF’s 134 inspectors, coordinators, and union contacts “do outstanding work” daily defending the rights of seafarers, helping thousands of seafarers every year. “But” he said, “our inspectors are not always welcomed with open arms by a shipowner or their representative on board – particularly if they have something to hide.”
Since the unnamed inspector was attacked earlier this year, the ITF has launched a review into the training and support it offers to inspectorate officials. But the ITF also has a warning for others in the industry.
For almost 16 years of work as an ITF inspector in Ukraine, Nataliya Yefrimenko has repeatedly encountered aggressive behavior of Masters or shipowners' representatives during the inspection. There were threats and attempts to prevent meeting with the crew and conducting an ITF inspection. But such actions only indicated that there were violations or labour disputes onboard to hide. “As a rule, aggression comes from those who want to hide violations or have something to fear,” Nataliya fairly believes.
There were many issues, but no attempts at assault, let alone physical violence. No matter how stressful the situation was, we always found a possible way to resolve the problems through negotiations.
"There is no excuse and no room for an ITF inspector, nor anyone working in the maritime industry, frankly, to be physically assaulted. Violence needs to be unacceptable in our industry,” said Trowsdale.
