This page is dedicated to ukrainian Seamen wrecked in Trieste-Italy , with the sincere goodwill and hope that they'll receive their overdue wages and might return back home.

On Friday August 15th 1997 nine (9) Crewmembers of T/N "Kapitan Smirnov" started the silent protest of NOT eating any more, also called "hunger strike"!
They did 15 days of strike (TWO WEEKS)!
The strike ended without any appreciable result...

News in cyrillic ukrainian

Seamen's SOS in cyrillic ukrainian

Olga thanks' letters in English

For the "Tacis Twinning Programme" of UEE (European Economic Union) three (3) ukrainians high officials of the city of Mykolaev - Ukraine are in Trieste, the whole month of November 1997, residing at the luxury "Jolly Hotel", and spending Lit. 400 millions of the said programme (approx. US$ 240.000), to learn of the public administration of towns and making stages in exchange of reciprocating the visit scheduled for next month of December when two (2) Trieste's Major's Office and "Bic" Firm will be hosted in Mykolaev.
Following are the names of the Ukraine Officials: KOZYRYEV Vladislav Senior Expert Development Dept., VLADINETS Yulia Senior Expert Development Dept. and SOTERNBERH Valery Assistant to the Mykolaev City Major.



A group of Swiss students, of Zurich's Art Lyceum, has been in Trieste for two weeks in cultural exchange visit, at the end of October 1997, and two students (namely Thomas and Rafael) received the difficult task of preparing a short story of the Ukrainian Seamen's odissey in Trieste. Last 31st of October all were invited to the projection of six contemporary stories. A special succes has been achieved by Volodymyr T. explaining in an expert actor's way the Ships' motors (like a gag of old movies) and also the unforgottable scenary of night fishermen's at work received warm applauses. The celebration and goodbye and/or "arrivederci" followed after cheerfully at a local Pizzeria.

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On October '97 end the Ucraine Chief of Parliament Mr. Moroz in Trieste DIDN'T care of visiting the forgotten Crews!!!

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It looks like all business in Ukraine is going very slowly, there is always an awaiting long time, specifically for money remittances, as it's happened lately to five (5) UKRTRANS camions and drivers blocked four (4) days on October 10th '97 at the border between Trieste and Slovenia, awaiting remittance from Odessa for gasoil needed to travel back home.

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What are doing the President and Directors, new and old Staff Managers of BLASCO ? Thinking ? Wondering ? Loosing time and money!

Making four (4) dozens of mad Seamans SUFFERING and going CRAZY ???

The Crews are now returned HOME!
on Monday June 22nd, 1998,
19 persons old Crew,
(including Master and 2 women)
and 33 persons new Crew
(including new Master and 2 new women)
Our ukrainian friends, name, initial of surname and age, are as follows:
Olexandr S. 65, Mykola U. 63, Viktor L. 25, Vladimir K. 58, Vladimir S. 30, Mikhail P. 50, Sergey P. 24, Gennadiy K. 31, Sergey V. 26, Oleg T. 62, Victor G. 59, Volodymyr T. 44, Anatoliy B. 60, Vadim N. 66, Boris Y. 54, Vladimir M. 59, Viktor S. 29, Oleg T. 37, Igor E. 31, Oleg D. 34, Sergey M. 33, Vadim K. 31, Ivan F. 67, Anatoly N. 60, Anatoliy K. 38, Andrey B. 50, Yuriy P. 37, Valeriy M. 55, Mikhaylo B. 32, Sergey S. 35, Victor M. 37, Olexandr K. 33, Anton A. 38, Yuriy M. 59, Petro D. 61, Vladimir G. 45, Yuriy S. 30, Victor G. 68, Vasiliy K. 36, Fanil A. 33, Yuriy O. 35, Oleksandr G. 26, Boris D. 44, Dmitro E. 25, Sergey T. 31, Sergey T. 37, Alexandr K. 45, Victor L. 60, Anatoliy U. 39 and Olexandr A. 68,
plus the 4 women: Lyudmila K. 37 ("Stewardess"), Iryna M. 29 ("Cook, baker and confectioner"), Larisa K. 39 ("Stewardess") and Nadya G. 36 ("Stewardess").
Total 54 persons (thirty five (35) already gone back home for serious illnesses or for serious family reasons, and three [3] sailing on GTS KATIE), forgotten seamens, who, for the majority, joined the two vessels in Trieste on August 14th 1996.

TWENTYTWO (22) MONTHS

Part of "Kapitan Smirnov" Crew on April 1997
photo courtesy m.vallinotto apr. 1997 © "venerdì di repubblica"

replacing the previous Crews (that has been paid and repatriated), and are surviving in Trieste, since December 1996, with the only help of solidariety self induced by Authorities, Associations, Shops and private citizens that they deeply thank from their hearts.

Here's the benefactors' incomplete list:
Com.te Luigi Giardino and all personnel of Harbour Master's Office, Comune di Trieste, Provincia di Trieste, Regione Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italian Vice-Foreign Minister Piero Fassino, the Maritime Agency Samer & Co. Shipping, the Maritime Agency D. Tripcovich , the Caritas Diocesana, the SOGIT, Radio Zorro & Oliviero Beha, RAI 3 TV Regionale, TeleQuattro TV, TeleChiara TV, TelePadova-Italia7-NewsLine TV and Dr. Elisabetta Zaccolo, Dott. Claudio Ernè & IL PICCOLO newspaper of Trieste, Dott. Fausto Biloslavo and "Il BORGHESE" magazine also "Il Pomeridiano" newspaper and Dr. Paolo Zeriali and Dr. Alessia Rosolen, the "Venerdì di Repubblica" magazine, Radio Nuova Trieste, G. Mayer and Marine Shipchandlers LIGABUE, the President of GAU Mrs. Elide Barmasse, Primo Rovis, Illy caffè, the Deputies at italian Parliament: On. Marucci Vascon, Prof. Vittorio Sgarbi & Capt. Mario Bussani; the Cons. Com.le Alberto Russignan, the Collegio Capitani with Cap.s.l.c. Romano Serra & Cap.D.M. Gino Diminich & Cap. D.M. Vito Neri, the SIOT - TAL, Trieste's Marine Pilots, the Ente Autonomo Porto di Trieste, the longshoremen, the Port Police, CCAP, EuroEst cultura, the Guardia di Finanza SVA, the Firemens, naval workshop Quaiat, Capt. Luigi Cattaruzza & Ocean Trasporti Marittimi, the PortoMercato, MD. Giuseppe Pillitteri, MD. Tommaso Lipartiti and MD. Marina Riosa, the Reverend Pope Rasko Radovich with the President Nikola Kmezic & the comunity Serbian - Ortodox, Salvatore Mignemi & Esotica Frutta with all the fruits & vegetables market, la unione sportiva Roianese, la Bocciofila Servolana, il Circolo Medotti, l'Opera Figli del popolo, CTI computers, ENEL Roma & Trieste, EZIT, A. E. Blasi & ITF, Avv. G. Ventura, Avv. A. Virgilio, Dr. Arrigo Iasbez, la Giuliana Bunkeraggi, ANEK LINES & Hellenic Ferries, le pizzerie San Giacomo e Mario e Luciana, il Sindacato Pensionati, la parrocchia di S. Caterina, il Dott. Manfredi Poillucci, Assicurazioni Generali Roiano, gelati Sanson, Via col Video, oreficeria Stermin, Boutique del Pane, panificio Bressan, panetteria Ferigutti, caffè Tommaseo, bar Crispi, bar Titty e Silvestro, bar Rio, farmacie all'Igea e S. Andrea, Tom Hobby, uova Gina e Gianna, foto La Sorte e foto Reflex, drogheria Soban, tabacchi Millo, arredamento Korsic, l'Oasi Naturale, Sandro & Gigi BigStore 58, Fitness Club Muggia, B.F.B. Spedizionieri Doganali, Romani caffè, A. & A. Keber, Libera Sifred, Teodoro Cok, the HairDresser Rossana Romano, Thomas and Rafael of Zurich (Swiss) ArtSchool in visit end of october 1997, Trieste's Art Institute "Nordio", the President of Trieste's mutilated & invalids for work Association Mr. Claudio Margiore, the italian Associacion Bersaglieri (kikiriki soldiers) that has given italian flags to supply both Ships and substitute the worn-out ones, and all Trieste's sensible cityzens, anonimous or not, that contributed, with any sum, act, and/or donation, to the survival of ukrainians fierce Seamen.

We are hanging on you, we do owe everything to your town,

The above incomplete list of sponsors is made only to mention all the good people, with no degree of ratings or priorities, and not everybody is mentioned, more should be thanked because anonimous.

T H A N K S
to T R I E S T E's cityzens

We ukrainians Seamen are waiting for due salaries from last year, to repatriate home, we may receive our salaries in US only in Trieste because no foreign money is paid or exchanged in Ukraine, for State laws.

Only then we will invite you for a mug of beer or a Horilka (vodka).

The ukrainian Seamen have made recourse to Trade Unions, and such, through a lawyer, to local Tribunal, the discussion of the case has been discussed on December 17th 1997, and the Judge, Dr. Mauro Sonego, is presently viewing the case, and, after hearing witnesses on December 19th, the Court has adjourned to January 22nd 1998, the Judge decision will be thereafter.
How they will survive for the following days/weeks/months...?



Known Ukrainian Vessels under arrest+YearBuilt+Position+Crew

1-INZHENER YERMOSHKIN built 1980, renamed GTS KATIE, now sailing from USA, to England, Crew 3+30
2-KAPITAN SMIRNOV built 1978, renamed GTS KRISTA, now in TRIESTE Crew 19
3-VLADIMIR VASLYAEV built 1987, now at Mobile, Alabama, USA, Renamed "WHEAT", Crew said to be 16.
4-FH PETRO MIZJKEVICH
5-SVETLOGORSK
6-NIKOLAY CHERKOISOV
7-KOMPOSITOR RIMSKIY KORSOKOV
8-ODESSA now in NAPOLI, Crew 33? 4?, recourses to Court in progress, said to be freed possibly on January 1998 end.
9-TOYVO ANTIKAINEN
10-ODESSA SKY
11-NIKOLAY CHERNISHEVSKIY
12-ALDEBARAN
13-PROFESSOR ANNICHKOV now in PIRAEUS
14-AKADEMIK MILLIONSHIKOV
15-PETR DUTOV
16-KAPITAN MEZENTSEV built 1979, now in UKRAINA
17-PAVEL MIZIKEVICH now in LA SPEZIA, Crew 19
18-MEDITERRANEAN SKY
19-PETER STAROSTIN
20-ANDRIAN GONCHAROV
21-JAKOV BONDARENKO
22-AKADEMIK STECHKIN
23-KAPITAN LEONTIY BORISENKO
24-MYSHA DZHALIL
25-ALEKSEY DANCHENKO
26-GEROI STALINGRADA
27-SOKOL
28-SOCHI

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The Good News !
December 12th 1997: both Vessels have been sold to an US Company, connected with the US Navy, T/N "Kapitan Smirnow" renamed G.T.S. "Krista" and T/N "Inzhener Yermoshkin" renamed G.T.S. "Katie"
December 13th '97 changed flag from Ukraine flag to St. Vincent and the Grenadines flag,
and hopefully, at last, the remainig Crew Members will be paid with fresh US dollars, and will go back home eventually.
December 22nd '97: new US ShipOwners' Representatives arrived in Trieste, and started to make all necessaries procedures to prepare Vessels for sailing.
December 22nd '97: in Ukraine is born the son of Larisa, and named Misha.
January 1st 1998 at 09:00 the G.T.S. "KATIE" proceeded to Sea Trials, for 6 hrs in the Gulf of Trieste, running up to over 20 knots, Sea Trials ended successfully, in progress repairs and maintenances for a next final departure from Trieste's Harbour shortly.
January 4th-5th-6th 1998, negotiatios in progress, NewOwners negotiating with Creditors, Crews are expecting due salaries upto December 12th 1997 to be paid, will not accept reductions.
NO 50/50, BUT FULL OVERDUE WAGES, FULLSTOP.

January 7th, Ortodox Xmas and St. Luciano, '98 G.T.S. "KATIE" left Trieste Berth at 20:00 hrs and debarked Port Pilot at 20:45 hrs on the same date.
January 8th '98 at 04:30 hrs arrived at Fiume/Rijeka-Croatia anchorage.
Crew has received all wages till Dec. 12th 1998, in cash!
January 14th '98, new mobile phone aboard, see below the contact number;
also confirmed that GTS Katie is at anchor in Rijeka roads awaiting ShipYard & DryDock, situation made difficult by drafts.
Also received news that on next week, Jan. 20th, a meeting will be set by TradeUnions and NewOwners to settle past salaries and wages.
January 15th '98, a TV troupe of Italian State TV RAI 1 interviewed in depths the GTS KRISTA Crew.
January 28th '98, three (3) Crewmembers of "Krista" returned on board, after being employed to help transfer "Katie" to Fiume/Rijeka, and had to await over two weeks for italian "visa" to return back to Trieste.
January 30th, two US Owners' Representatives arrived at Trieste's Jolly Hotel and together with two ex BLASCO's Officials and ITF Trade Union Representative with Lawyer started the settlement of past overdue wages, the return home voyage, legal expenses and new Contracts since Dec. 13th 1997. The offer of Owners is for a total US $ 150.000, not enough to cover all due debts. The negotiations are presently stalled.
February 7th, 1998, negotiations still stalled, next Court hearing adjourned to Feb. 20th, 1998.
GTS KATIE still at Fiume/Rijeka anchorage.
February 13th, 1998, from GTS KATIE, in Fiume/Rijeka, two Crew Members have been debarked and repatriated to Ukraine for serious illness and family urgent reasons: Sergiy T. Doctor and Sergiy T. Cook, now Crew aboard is of 14 members including Master.
March 7th, 1998, there has been few contacts between New Owners and Lawyers of all parties, there are signs of a resolution of the controversy in a short time: weeks. Meanwhile the Crew is keept alive with food provisions, but NO MONEY ALLOWANCES! They are looking forward to pay some 90% of overdue salaries and to the signing of a new, better, contract. Also the project is to shift GTS KRISTA to Fiume/Rijeka by tugboats where is still awaiting at anchor in the roads the sister vessel GTS KATIE, next will be the final change of both Crews, with replacements coming from Ukraine.
March 14th, 1998, still awaiting money and repatriation.
March 21st, last week GTS KATIE moored at Fiume/Rijeka berth, only to discharge some Ro-Ro equipment, and after returned at anchor in open roads, awaiting...
March 28th, 1998, KATIE Ch.Officer Anatoliy K. left with his FIAT TIPO car, in company with Ch.Motorman Vasiliy K., homebound.
April 3rd 1998: new Crew joined, in Rijeka for KATIE, 30 persons, with charter flight from Odessa, accompanied by an ukrainian inspector. Debarked and repatriated 9, remained aboard 3, Master with Chief Engineer and Chief Radio Operator.
April 10th 1998: at 05 AM, the GTS KATIE sailed from Rijeka bound to Antwerp, Belgium, to load her first cargo, under new flag.
KRISTA still moored in Trieste, remaining 19 crewmembers now maintenancing and checking ship's safety equipments.
April 11th, 1998: latest news are that the 19 Crewmembers will be replaced, on or about April 23-25 '98, by a fresh Crew arriving from Ukraine by charter flight. There are rumors also that GTS KRISTA will undergo major repairs and maintenances at Trieste ShipYard & DryDock booked for May 15th next.
Sunday, April 19th, 1998, ortodox Easter, waiting for the next week the arrival of replacement Crew, the back salaries and wages, and the marginal returning home.
Saturday April 25th, 1998, change of Crew and returning back home delayed to the next week, probably at the end of the month, still awaiting payment of due wages. /:-(
Tuesday April 28th, 1998, at 06:00 hrs, a hired bus arrived from Odessa with a new Crew of 33 (including Master and 2 women) plus 3 bus drivers and an Inspector; now awaiting due wages by Owners.
Thursday April 30th, 1998, received bad news from Owners that wages will be paid on or about after May 7th next. The bus with his 3 drivers left for returning back to his Moldavia renting place.
Saturday May 2nd, 1998, Crews of 19 + 33 awaiting next week for news.
Monday May 4th, 1998, during last night the local wind bora raised with gusts over 130 Km/Hr (that is over 80 mi/h, or over 70 knots) straining the Vessel's mooring ropes, until a final break of fwd. bow ropes at about 06:30 hrs, making the Vessel pivot on the stern ropes and a swinging of the bow over 90 degrees. The stern syntetic ropes at strain made the Vessel's hit the berth many times and a railroad train loaded with containers was hit several times by the stern ramp and structures. An alert has been meanwhile broadcast by VHF and two Tugboats with shore personnel came quickly to assist in the securing again the KRISTA at a nearby berth. The said occurrence resulted a foolish mishap caused by Owners' instructions to lighten the moorings by the anchors' chains, that is a usual practice to use anchors' chains in addition to mooring lines, that is strongly advisable in Trieste's Port in all seasons.
During this week another Vessel's arrest has been issued in way to cover the damages made to the train loaded with containers and for the Tugboats' assistance.
The GTS KRISTA has been shifted to Pier VII at berth # 57.
Saturday May 9th, 1998, all 19 + 33 Seamen, old and new Crews, still surviving aboard stressed and waiting another week for overdue past wages and the homebound voyage to Ukraine.
Saturday May 16th, 1998, still awaiting to be paid! Another... next week...
Saturday May 23th, 1998, still awaiting to be paid!
Another... next week...
Saturday May 30th, 1998, still awaiting to be paid!
Another... next week...
Saturday June 6th, 1998, notices and news: money arriving soon, soonest, very soon...
still awaiting to be paid! Another... next week... UN-BE-LIE-VA-BLE!
Saturday June 13th, 1998, notices and news: money arriving soon, soonest, very soon...
still awaiting to be paid! Another... next week... IN-CRE-DI-BLE!
Tuesday June 16th PM Lawyer Rado Race, in name of Capt. Margan, paid in cash all 19 Crewmembers of long awaited salaries. Then started the procedure to hire a bus to carry the 19 back home in Ukraine and the issuance of new transit visa.
The bus is scheduled to leave Trieste on monday June 22nd to reach Odessa on or about tuesday june 23rd 1998!
Monday June 22nd departed, and arrived Odessa on wednesday June 24th '98 at 20 hrs. eventually!



The change from BLASCO Soviet CCCP to US Navy ShipOwners... help!

Page updated almost daily, revised weekly on Saturdays.

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Telephone Numbers

Foreword: ++ indicates your international connection
From Ukraine ++ is usually 10 (or 8-10 or 81-0)
Italy from other Countries is usually 39
Trieste from other Countries is 40
Croatia from other Countries is usually ++385
Rijeka from other Countries is usually 51
therefore the numbers are:

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G.T.S. KATIE: in Rijeka-Croatia
mobile phone: ++385-98-273.908
from Ukraine try: 810-385-98-273.908
the above is a portable GSM mobile phone

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G.T.S. KRISTA: in Trieste, Italy,
++39-337-480.475 or,
from Ukraine: 810-39-337-480.475

new number: 673.2465 (the same that was of KATIE before) from Ukraine: 810-39-40-673.2465

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