Sea-Pearl-I Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

An urgent clean-up operation was initiated following an oil spill from the vessel Dona Liberta, which is moored near Tolverne Cottage, along the River Fal. The incident was reported to the Truro harbour office around 1:20 PM on Tuesday, close to the King Harry Ferry. To mitigate the environmental impact and protect local wildlife, harbour staff swiftly deployed an absorbent boom to contain the spill. Five skilled team members worked diligently to remove the oil-laden materials trapped in the boom, successfully filling 20 blue sacks within five hours. Initial estimates suggest that approximately 70 to 90 gallons of oil escaped from the ship. Fortunately, harbour officials have assured the public that the oil has now been contained, and they anticipate that most of it will disperse by evening. The evaporation of the remaining fumes is expected to pose no further threat to the area. An investigation has been launched by harbour officials to determine the cause of this spill, with plans to interview the master of the Dona Liberta. Authorities are committed to ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the local environment. For further details, visit http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Alert-King-Harry-Ferry-oil-leaks-moored-ship/story-15109582-detail/story.html.

In a heartfelt reunion just in time for Christmas 2011, two Romanian watchkeepers, previously stranded on the abandoned vessel 'Dona Liberta', have returned to their families. The crew members had endured several months on the ship, which has been docked in Falmouth, facing dire living conditions without electricity or access to fresh water. Their situation worsened as food supplies diminished after financial obligations went unmet. Concerns arose among various maritime agencies in Cornwall regarding the deplorable state of the 'Dona Liberta' and the well-being of its crew. Thanks to the intervention of Falmouth Mission to Seafarers, the watchkeepers received essential supplies, including a heater and some financial assistance. However, their urgent need to abandon the ship for their health and safety prompted further action. Following consultations with the Seafarers' mission, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency declared the ship unsanitary, facilitating the removal of the two men. Subsequently, an Admiralty Marshal took action, detaining the vessel due to outstanding debts from its owner. They were briefly housed in a hotel while legal proceedings unfolded, but the watchkeepers were initially hesitant to leave the UK, fearing they might forfeit their unpaid wages. Once again, the mission assisted them, reassuring them that they could return home and pursue their wage claims from there. This intervention allowed the men to finally reunite with their families, bringing a joyful ending to their challenging ordeal.

In a heart-wrenching situation, two crew members of the vessel 'Dona Liberta', which has been laid up on the River Fal, have been successfully removed from the ship after enduring months of hardship. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) took decisive action on October 31, 2011, by issuing a prohibition order that mandated the crew's evacuation from the ship due to appalling living conditions. The men faced unsanitary conditions, had no access to mains electricity, and resorted to collecting rainwater for washing as they awaited support. Struggling with financial difficulties, they had gone unpaid for three months, leading them to fish for sustenance. The 'Dona Liberta' has been anchored in King Harry Reach since June 2011, and although the Mission to Seafarers charity and Truro Harbour Office personnel provided support, the situation became critical as winter approached. Despite their desire to stay aboard and concern for their unpaid wages, the Truro Harbour Master deemed the conditions intolerable. Now, the two watchmen are temporarily accommodated in a hotel in Falmouth while the International Transport Federation works tirelessly to secure their back pay, although it is speculated they might only receive wages upon the sale of the vessel.