To simplify a shore leave procedure

The Far Eastern Regional Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia has appealed to the Nakhodka Transport Prosecutor's Office with a request to simplify a shore leave procedure for crew members of seagoing vessels berthed at Nakhodka oil port. 

Let us recall that yesterday, during an inspection of the working and living conditions of Russian and Indian crew members of MV Ocean Embrace, representatives of the Union found out that the rules established at the terminal make a shore leave impractical for seafarers. 

In the appeal, the Chairman of the Far Eastern Regional Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia Nikolay Sukhanov noted, that the port security department has established a requirement that is impossible to fulfil. Thus, it's required the ship's agent is in place while disembarkation of crew members: he must deliver them from the vessel to the exit from the port checkpoint. So, if the agent is not on the vessel or nearby, then the seafarers cannot go ashore and go to the city. 

In his turn, the agent confirmed that he really could not help in any way, since he does not have the opportunity to be near the vessel during its entire stay at the port and, if necessary, accompany the seafarers stepping ashore. 

Nikolay Sukhanov added that access to shore-based welfare facilities should be open to all seafarers, regardless of their nationality. "This is one of the requirements of the Maritime Labor Convention, which the Russian Federation has ratified," the appeal to the Nakhodka Transport Prosecutor's Office states.