Fourteen South African seamen were distressed in Morocco during early February. The South Africans were crewmembers on board a Barbados registered fishing boat, operating out of Las Palmas.
The ship was arrested by the Moroccan authorities. The South Africans became distressed after the shipping company did not assist with their repatriation to South Africa.
The Department of Transport has made available funds for the return of the South Africans. In this regard, the Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Embassy in Rabat is assisting with arrangements for the return of the seamen, today.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Pretoria
15 MARCH 2000