Addressing Crew Claims in Egypt
Crew claims in Egyptian ports are an evolving challenge that requires careful attention and informed action. The Eldib Pandi Team has extensive experience navigating the legal and operational complexities surrounding such claims. Below, we outline common trends in crew claims and how our team can assist vessels and their crew in addressing these issues effectively.
Common Trends in Crew Claims:
Medical Treatment and Repatriation: Delays in arranging medical treatment for injured crew members or ensuring timely repatriation can lead to escalated claims. It is our role to coordinate with the local agents and with the local authorities in order to expedite processes and to nominate specialized medical facilities that can accommodate the particular case in hand. We then continuously follow-up on the condition of the crew member until their discharge from the medical facility, up until repatriation to their hometown or the re-boarding of a vessel. Our role does not end there! Upon conclusion of treatment, we peruse the relevant vouchers to check their validity and reasonableness while keeping the P&I clubs duly informed of the developments.
Arrest of Crew Members: Crew members may face legal action due to local regulatory violations or disputes with local entities. We had faced a common trend where crew members were disembarking vessels for crew changes while carrying drones. In Egypt, this is a criminal offence. Dealing with the complexity of local legal proceedings for such an incident would often necessitate immediate professional legal intervention, which we are able to provide through or parent company Eldib Advocates.
Health and Safety Violations: Claims arising from workplace injuries or alleged safety breaches highlight the importance of adhering to international and local maritime safety standards. Our seasoned team has worked with various medical institutions in such cases whether it was a crew member or a stevedore in which case the vessel might face a claim against her.
Death and death benefits: As local representatives of the P&I Club, we act as intermediaries between shipowners, insurers, and other interested parties to ensure that legal, procedural, and practical matters are handled efficiently. Once we learn of the death, we begin the process of liaising with the local authorities, coordinating with port health officers, police, and legal authorities. We gather reports, witness statements, and other documentation regarding the circumstances of the death, appoint a funeral home, liaise with the concerned consulates in order to ensure the proper paperwork for the repatriation of the remains are in order, ensure all necessary documentation is in order and obtaining relevant information of the next of kin to arrange for the repatriation of the deceased’s body to their home country.
As for Death Benefits, in case the deceased seafarer is an Egyptian, we help the family understand their entitlements under the employment contract and applicable laws. Our role as intermediaries remains the same until the agreed upon death benefits are provided to the heirs of the deceased.
It is worth noting that, proactively addressing crew claims not only reduces financial and legal exposure but also reinforces the well-being of the crew, fostering a safe and productive work environment. Our experience in handling sensitive cases with discretion and efficiency ensures that vessels and their crew are supported throughout their port stay.
For further guidance or to engage our services in assisting with crew claims, please contact our team and we will gladly assist.