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Stranded Malaviya Seven crew to finally head home

BBC Crew and Malaviya SevenBBC
Crew members including chief officer Bamadev Swain, right, have been supported by the local community

The final four crew on board a supply vessel that has been detained at Aberdeen Harbour for more than a year are expected to finally go home on Thursday.

The Malaviya Seven was detained in June last year, and again in October, under merchant shipping regulations.

The 24 crew were understood to be owed almost £700,000 in total.

An offer to buy the ship - enough to cover wages - was accepted, and the last four crew will fly back to India.

Malaviya Seven crew
The crew stayed with the boat in a bid to ensure they would be paid

Chief officer Bamadev Swain said: "We have gone through such a difficult time, especially our family members back in India.

"Finally God has blessed us.

"We have endured so much. It was a new experience in life."

'Glad for them'

Port chaplain Doug Duncan said: "It's been an ordeal for them. I am glad for them."

ITF union inspector Liam Wilson said it was good news all the crew would all get home, and that their wages would hopefully be paid soon.

Malaviya Seven

The vessel had failed to sell at auction in October. The auctioneer withdrew the vessel from sale after only receiving a bid of £300,000. A sheriff had ruled in September that it could be sold at public auction.

Six crew members then headed home amid emotional scenes at Aberdeen International Airport.

The other six were staying until the ship was sold. Two later left, with the final four remaining.