Strait of Hormuz Lawsuit
Seafarers Sue Shipping Company After Strait of Hormuz Attack, Allege Unfair Dismissal
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Three Thai sailors have sued their employer, Precious Shipping Co., after a missile strike killed three of their crewmates in the Strait of Hormuz. Winnipeg Free Press reported that the men are seeking over one million baht — roughly $30,000 each — in damages, claiming the company sent them into a war zone and then fired them unfairly.
The ship, the Mayuree Naree, was hit by a projectile north of Oman on March 11. The surviving 20 crew members were brought back to Thailand one week later. Three people died in the attack, according to Newsday.
Ship Sailed Into Danger Despite Known Security Risks
The lawsuit claims Precious Shipping knowingly sent the Mayuree Naree through one of the world's most dangerous waterways. The Strait of Hormuz has been the site of repeated attacks on commercial ships. The crew members say the company put profit ahead of their safety.
Market Screener reported that the lawsuit specifically accuses the company of endangering the crew's lives by sailing through the strait. The men argue they were never given a real choice about whether to make the voyage.
Sailors Fired Before Nine-Month Contracts Were Up
The three plaintiffs say they were dismissed before their contracts ended. Each had signed a nine-month employment deal. Being let go early meant they lost wages they were still owed, according to Newsday.
The men say the early firing was unfair and illegal. They are suing for both the unpaid contract time and for being dismissed without proper cause after surviving a deadly attack, AJC reported.
Two Months' Pay Not Enough for Trauma, Sailors Say
After the attack, the company gave the sailors compensation equal to two months' salary. The men say that amount is far too small. All three were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD — a condition caused by surviving a life-threatening event.
Because of their PTSD, the sailors say they can no longer work as seafarers. That means the two-month payout does not cover their lost future earnings. They are asking for over one million baht each — about $30,000 — to make up the difference, according to Market Screener.
Case Puts Spotlight on Sailor Rights in Conflict Zones
This lawsuit is one of the first of its kind in Thailand involving an attack at sea in an active conflict zone. Shipping companies often send crews through high-risk waters to save time and money. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
Labor advocates say the case could set a new standard for how companies treat sailors who are hurt or traumatized in war zones. Winnipeg Free Press noted that the outcome may affect how Thai shipping firms handle crew safety and compensation going forward.
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