Rough seas and strong winds have delayed the rescue of sailors who are stranded 50 kilometres off the UAE coast and have been at sea for more than two years.
A crew of 10 men are still on board the UAE shipping vessel MV Azraqmoiah and some have not been paid for 17 months.
They claim they are collectively owed more than $250,000 (Dh920,000) in wages for their time at sea.
The crew are among 40 seafarers stuck at sea on several vessels due to an ongoing legal dispute involving the shipping company.
A government-appointed notary is waiting to board the ship to take crew statements and begin the repatriation process, once the winter weather has improved.
According to Captain Ayyappan Swaminathan, from Tamil Nadu, India, who is currently on board the MV Azraqmoiah, the 10-man crew are running out of food.
“The provisions have been coming every 30 to 40 days or so, but we have had nothing since December 22 from the company,” he said.
“The company is providing only very basic supplies – Arabic bread, rice and dhal.
“They are sending us tea bags and big kilo bags of sugar, but none of us take sugar.”
“We have not stopped work. We do four-hour shifts every day to keep our routines, otherwise we would find it hard to keep our minds.”
The ship has been at sea for more than two years and has been anchored off the UAE coast since February 21, 2018.
There are 10 crew on board – eight Indian, one Sudani and a Tanzanian – who are taking it in turns on lookout shifts to watch for other ocean traffic. The vessel is anchored near to a busy shipping lane off the Umm al Quwain coast.
An emergency generator lights the ship up at night and provides some limited power for cooking and air-conditioning during the day.
“Mentally it is tough, many of the men are feeling depressed,” said Capt Ayyappan.
“Life is very difficult. There is boredom and everyone is worried about their families back home as we have not been paid for so long.
“We have house loans, family bills and school fees for our children.
“There has been contact with our families, but the company won’t even pay for our phone call costs.
“We pray we will be paid what we are owed. We need these salaries for our families.”
Embassies, the Federal Transport Authority and the Mission to Seafarer’s charity have been working to help repatriate the men — many of their passports have been retained by agents.
So far, almost Dh150,000 has been raised by the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network and the MtS charity.
Most of it will go towards repatriation fees, but it is unlikely to cover the costs of the mental health support the men may need.
“These sailors will experience similar difficulties to recently released prisoners or hostages,” said Carolyn Yaffe, a cognitive behavioural therapist at the Camali Clinic in Dubai. She has worked in mental health support in juvenile detention facilities.
“I can imagine the feelings of isolation are similar, as they have lost regular contact with families and social networks.
"Not knowing what the outcome will be will worsen any feelings of vulnerability they may have.
“When they return there could be a culture shock to deal with. The way they see the world around them will have changed, so they will likely experience post traumatic stress disorder.”
At least one of the crew has lost a close family member during his two years at sea, and new babies have been born who they are yet to meet.
“They are going home to an unfamiliar situation,” said Ms Yaffe.
“Their children will look different after two years and spousal relationships may be compromised. If there has been no contact, some family members may not even know if they are still alive.
“Understanding the issues these men are facing is hugely important.
“It is important they recognise the signs of depression and how they can seek help.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Contracted list
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
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Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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From: Ras Al Khaimah
Age: 50
Profession: Electronic engineer, worked with Etisalat for the past 20 years
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
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- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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8.50pm: Calandogan
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
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england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
