Discover the Viva: Ratings & Maritime News

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has received alarming reports about the vessel VIVA (IMO: 9156539), which has been classified as abandoned. This situation is critical for the crew members who are currently facing hardships. - **Flag**: Unknown - **Port**: Istanbul - **Country**: Turkiye - **Wages Owed**: 2 months - **Total Crew Members**: 24 - **Nationalities of Seafarers**: Azerbaijan, India, Turkiye - **Reported to ITF**: 01 May 2026 - **Status**: Open Currently, the VIVA is docked in Istanbul, where its crew, consisting of 24 seafarers from Azerbaijan, India, and Turkiye, have not received their wages for two months. The abandonment case is ongoing, with the ITF actively monitoring the situation. The ITF Seafarers abandonment list serves as a vital resource, tracking such distressing cases of crew abandonment on a global scale.

On March 12, 2026, the vessel 'Viva' faced detention in Dunkirk due to the discovery of 22 deficiencies, with eight categorized as serious enough to warrant the action. The critical issues included: 1) Tonnage certificate invalid; 2) Incomplete Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance; 3) Missing shipboard working arrangements; 4) Emergency power source not meeting requirements; 5) Inoperative radar affecting safety of navigation; 6) Unsatisfactory sanitary facilities; 7) Non-compliant sewage comminuting and disinfecting system; and 8) Fuel oil quality exceeding sulfur limits. After addressing the deficiencies, the 'Viva' was cleared for departure on March 27 and set sail for Istanbul, with an estimated time of arrival on April 10. This incident follows a previous detention on July 8, 2025, in Vassiliko, where the vessel was held for ten days due to 27 deficiencies, 20 of which were deemed serious. The maritime community continues to monitor the compliance of vessels like 'Viva' to uphold safety and environmental standards.

On December 13, 2025, the commercial tanker 'Viva' became the target of a drone attack involving three Russian Geran-3 drones, while it was navigating the waters off Pivd2nniy, Ukraine. The incident occurred within Ukraine's exclusive economic zone, approximately 20 nautical miles offshore, where the country's air defense systems were unable to respond. Ukraine has accused Russia of breaching international maritime law by attacking a civilian vessel. Fortunately, all 11 Turkish crew members onboard the 'Viva' are reported safe, with no injuries sustained. The drone strike impacted the vessel near the accommodation block, but thanks to the quick actions of the crew, the resulting fire was swiftly extinguished. Despite this incident, the 'Viva' remained seaworthy and continued its journey from Ukraine to Alexandria, carrying a cargo of sunflower oil. Ukrainian officials have been in direct communication with the ship’s captain to ensure the safety and management of the situation.

On July 8, 2025, the cargo vessel 'Viva' was detained in Vassiliko due to a staggering 27 deficiencies noted during an inspection, with 20 categorized as serious enough to warrant the detention. Key issues identified included the absence of required documentation, such as seafarers' daily hours and work/rest records, alongside critical failures in safety and emergency systems. The inspection revealed alarming deficiencies in the ship's safety of navigation systems, notably the inoperability of the BNWAS (Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System), compromised visibility from the navigation bridge, and inadequate operation of the voyage data recorder. Essential nautical publications were also found to be missing, raising concerns about compliance with maritime safety standards. Furthermore, the inspection pointed to several emergency systems failures, including an inoperative emergency generator and malfunctioning emergency lighting batteries. Labor conditions aboard the 'Viva' were not up to par either, with issues reported regarding the cleanliness of the engine room, insufficient provisions, and malfunctioning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Fire safety provisions were another critical concern, as personal firefighting equipment was deemed inadequate, coupled with an inoperative inert gas system. Life-saving appliances faced their own challenges, with non-functional launching arrangements for rescue boats and means of recovery. Additionally, bilge pumping arrangements were cited as inadequate, raising further alarm over the vessel's operational safety. The inspection concluded with the vessel being released on July 17, 2025, after the required deficiencies were addressed, allowing 'Viva' to undertake a single voyage to the Tuzla shipyard for permanent repairs. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous compliance with safety regulations in ensuring maritime safety and the welfare of seafarers.

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has raised an alarm regarding the abandonment of the ship VIVA (IMO: 9156539). Schooner VIVA, registered under the Liberian flag, has been left stranded at the port of Said in Egypt, affecting a crew of 18 seafarers. The crew, which includes nationals from Azerbaijan and Turkiye, is currently facing significant hardships due to owed wages. This critical report was officially submitted to the ITF on April 28, 2025, and the case remains under review as an open status, highlighting the ongoing issue of crew abandonment globally. The ITF Seafarers abandonment list serves as a vital resource for tracking such cases, providing insight into the challenges faced by seafarers in the maritime industry.