A ship’s captain has denied union claims that a Greek vessel polluted Hobsons Bay beaches by washing its hatches out into Port Phillip Bay.
Captain George Mylonas has denied claims by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) that the crew of MV Blue Eternity caused pollution by performing illegal hatch-cleaning just off the Williamstown foreshore.
Asked by the Weekly if the ship had cleaned out its hatch into the bay, Captain Mylonas responded via email: “Kindly be advised that our fleet trade and operate under all relevant international and local regulations, and there was no pollution.”
The Weekly understands from reliable sources that the ship’s owner is struggling to pay its crew.
ITF Australian representative Matt Purcell expressed fears that Melbourne’s port environment and beaches could be polluted because of ship owners failing to pay Australian dockworkers to clean their vessels and properly dispose of waste.
“The owners [of Blue Eternity] say that they’re complying with the regulations, but our understanding is, from my witnesses, that there could well have been some spillage of coal dust particles,” Mr Purcell said.
A spokesman for Ports Minister David Hodgett said the union should provide evidence of wrongdoing or “cease making false accusations”.
