Selçuk Elibol, who worked as the 1st Officer on the ship ‘Mathilde Oldendorff’, passed away after falling from the cross that he had to use to read the draft, and the Chinese port authorities did not allow anyone to help him by the pretext of covid.
After Elibol’s death, maritime NGOs took action and TÜRDEF and TÜRKKAPDER applied to world maritime organizations to increase the living standards of seafarers and provide them with safe areas.
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs made the statement that “The accident in which Selcuk Elibol passed away while on duty was brought to the IMO agenda”.
The following is the statement of the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs on the subject:
EXPLANATION ABOUT CAPTAIN SELÇUK ELİBOL
The maritime industry has played a vital role in ensuring the continuity of global trade and supply chain during the pandemic, with the great professionalism and dedication of ship people. However, despite this important role they play, ship people have been adversely affected by the pandemic process and have been exposed to many negativities, especially not being able to return to their homes despite the expiration of their contract. To minimize the negativities experienced, our country has contributed to the publication of many recommendations prepared within this framework by supporting the works carried out within the scope of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In parallel with these efforts, our Ministry pioneered the declaration of ship crews as “key employees” in our country.
However, we regret to follow that although ship people have been declared as key employees by a total of 63 countries including our country, strict rules affecting ship people continue to be applied in some countries. Unfortunately, in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), where such practices are still in effect, due to a policy called “zero- covid”, ship people are not allowed to access the port, Captain Selçuk Elibol, the 1st Officer of Liberia flagged ship MATHILDE OLDENDORFF, who had to read the draft using a cross, passed away as a result of a tragic accident that occurred while performing this duty.
Our Ministry has been following the issue closely since the incident took place, and has taken initiatives in the relevant countries in coordination with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Finally, at the opening of the IMO ‘Human Factor, Training and Shift Keeping’ (HTW) subcommittee meeting, which started on February 7, 2022, the issue was brought to the international arena by being taken off the agenda.
Many major flag states and many international organizations such as the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Federation of Ship Captains’ Associations (IFSMA) have accompanied our country, expressing their sorrow for the death of Captain Elibol, not to repeat similar incidents, the People’s Republic of China and other countries applying similar restrictions have invited them to review such practices.
Our Ministry, as a follower of the incident, will continue to take steps to prevent such an incident from happening again and to have the necessary measures taken on our ships.
It is respectfully announced to the public.
