The Egyptian Red Sea Port Authority has shied away from responsibility in the shocking case of Mohammad Aisha and the Bahraini-flagged MV Aman. According to representatives of the union federation representing the stranded seafarer, they have a moral obligation to act now, regardless of legal rights and wrongs. But did you know how long the sailor had to stay aboard the vessel?
A sailor was stranded alone on a cargo ship near the Suez Canal for nearly four years in 2017. Because the ship’s owner was in financial trouble and the captain had gone ashore, the local court appointed the sailor as legal guardian.
Alone Aboard the MV Aman
Aisha is now in his fourth year in his floating prison. His physical and mental health is deteriorating daily. He lacks both power and light. He swims to shore for necessities like food and water, putting his life in danger each time. As ruled by the courts, the MV Aman became his problem and his problem alone. According to the law, until it belongs to someone else Aisah is to remain aboard the vessel.
In March of last year, the ship ran aground due to rough weather. Since then, no one is providing me with fresh water, provisions or diesel oil. I have had to swim to shore every few days to get food and water and to charge my phone. These days, getting to shore is endangering my life because of the cold and my bad health. I almost drowned several times.
Mohammed Aisha, Sailor Aboard the MV Aman
The seafarer is a one-person humanitarian crisis trapped in a prison-like situation by circumstance. It is, in many ways, worse than prison. Only action by Egyptian port authorities can set him free.
They have several practical options for returning Aisha to Syria, but none have been pursued. Instead, Egyptian port authorities fail to respond to the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) urgent emails describing the man’s deteriorating, painful condition.
Egyptian officials’ silence suggests that they are content to indefinitely leave Aisha rotting on the MV Aman. The ITF has also requested the intervention of the Bahraini flag, under which the ship is registered, to assist in arranging the seafarer’s urgent repatriation. (Source: Marine Sight)
Aisha’s Deteriorating Health
Aisha has been alone since then, effectively in solitary confinement. A doctor who examined him discovered that he had all of the symptoms of someone imprisoned in deplorable conditions. He is malnourished, anemic, and has leg pain. He also exhibits signs of psychological damage as a result of his treatment.
I’ve requested repatriation many times, But the port authorities are refusing to allow me to leave.
Mohammed Aisha, Sailor Aboard the MV Aman
Eventually, the ITF had to intervene.
The Egyptian authorities have a humanitarian duty to do something about Mohammad Aisha’s terrible predicament. I don’t want to prescribe how they should sort the problem out, but there are a number of possible mechanisms. Things are becoming desperate. They need to act immediately.
Mohamed Arrachedi, ITF’s Arab World and Iran Network Coordinator
In addition to providing Aisha with medical treatment, the ITF has offered to pay for hotels and flights so the exhausted seafarer can return home. However, Egyptian authorities have confiscated his passport and refused to cooperate in changing his situation. To make matters worse.
Aisha was eventually freed and able to return home on April 22, 2021. (Source: Marine Sight)
Image from BBC