Another news from Odessa: the swindler received 2 years of probation for deceiving sailors with employment. He rented an office on Akademika Glushko Avenue, where he took money from sailors for "employment". He managed to deceive 10 people, after that the company simply closed down. The court gave the swindler a suspended sentence, but ordered him to return the money to the victims. The perpetrator admitted his guilt. The total amount is 587 thousand 239 hryvnias.
And, alas, there are hundreds of such stories. According to the data of the seamen's trade union and their stories on maritime forums, the number of malefactors almost doubled in 2020.
Pandemic problems
A sailor's desire to go on a voyage is his main weakness, and attackers actively exploit it. The methods are expanding, because a desperate applicant in search of a cherished contract is ready to do almost anything. And swindlers now not only arrange false meetings or register under a false name, but also carry out mailings from peace offices, crewing offices and shipowners. Moreover, most often - foreign. Firstly, it is easier to avoid responsibility, and secondly, the more promising the contract, the greater the chances that the sailor will be deceived.
— There have been more cases, that's a fact. My son encountered this several years ago. Fortunately, they changed their mind in time and did not fall into the trap. The son began to earn well, bought a place. Fate played a cruel joke when we leased it to the so-called "false crewing" - after some time, the same boys began to come to our phones and address in search of the promised, — says Sergey, the father of an Odessa sailor, a businessman.
The second problem is replacements. There are those who are "stuck" on the shore, and there are those who dream of returning home, having been on a voyage for 8 months to a year at the moment. Scammers are also active here - they offer fake legal services and help from funds that, in fact, do not exist either.
Problems with replacements were expected - however, each company solves them in its own way. Someone is ready to "splurge" and ensure the crew's return home, and some only send new contracts and feed them with promises. At first, according to Dmitry, our sailor interlocutor, the sailors sign them - it is possible to extend the contract for another month. But how long can this last?
- They can persuade, ask, send letters. Three times I went to meet them - the first time the borders were still closed, then the crew asked, okay. It was the longest and most unbearable contract in my practice. Once again, only money decides everything, - summed up the guy.
Sailors are now under enormous stress. A recent study conducted by Yale University showed that even before the pandemic, 20-25% of sailors suffered from anxiety or depression, and that 20% had recently had suicidal thoughts. The same study showed that the number of accidents and illnesses doubles when sailors experience anxiety or depression.
How do you protect yourself?
Simple safety rules and banal human prudence will help to at least reduce the risks, experts say. The main thing is not only to trust, but also to check.
— It is necessary to analyze the person who offers employment. You understand that this should be an office, not a meeting at home or at a table in a restaurant. We carefully look at the proposal that they give you - it should be an official contract, the name of the ship, the route and the crew. Read reviews, read what colleagues write, monitor the ship and its geography. And, most importantly, in the event of an incident, I advise you to seek help immediately, not to wait for months, - says Pavel Tarasovsky, deputy head of the National Association for the Protection of Seamen's Rights.
"Legal" advice to seafarers is also given by representatives of the International Transport Federation (ITF/ITF):
- Know your rights. Seafarers work in countries with different legal systems and levels of respect for human rights. Before entering one or another country, you must familiarize yourself with their main laws, as well as learn in advance the rules of behavior in public places, including traditions and culture.
- Look for help. If a sailor is in a difficult situation, it is necessary to immediately contact the competent organizations and agencies.
— Watch the behavior. If the police and local authorities question the sailor in connection with the incident, he should cooperate and report truthful information. He has the right not to testify against himself, you can use it by giving the answer "without comment" or by remaining silent. If the investigative bodies use a language that is not familiar to the seafarer, they must provide an interpreter. The seafarer also has the right to refuse to sign documents that have not been translated into a language he understands.
- The right to protection. A sailor is entitled to protect his legal interests if he is arrested by the police or detained by state authorities. A lawyer can be provided to him free of charge, or the seafarer can make this request to his employer. The right to confidentiality is preserved!
