Seven-S

The "Seven Seas" which had been arrested in Bayonne since two years due to debts of its owner Naveiro, which had run into financial difficulties, has left the port on Aug 7 at 9 a.m. and was underway to Pasajes for repairs. The former "Guimarães" was bought by the Israeli owner Haifa and renamed "Seven Seas". French report with photo: http://www.sudouest.fr/2014/08/07/le-guimaraes-repart-apres-deux-ans-de-galere-1635557-4018.php

Within the next days the three remaining crew members of the "Guimarães" may return home. The ship is stuck in the port of Bayonne since July 16, 2012, after the owner went bankrupt. The ship had delivered a cargo of steel in the port when it was detained due to debts of the Portuguese owners Naveiro. Ten days the French State took over the "Guimarães" and may decide to sell or dismantle it. The Russian sailors which were still aboard the ship did not leave for fear that their departure might have been considered as an abandonment of them by their employer. They still hope to recover their wages which Naveiro partially owed for more than a year. Two of the three sailors have recently appointed a lawyer to claim their due, and the state now supports repatriation. For the recent 10 months, the Port Solidarity assisted the stranded mariners, and the Banque Alimentaire has provided them with most of their food. French report with photo: http://www.sudouest.fr/2013/05/14/port-de-bayonne-les-marins-du-guimaraes-vont-rentrer-chez-eux-1053553-4018.php