This isn't really about TB but more about asking if anyone has any suggestions on how to help some crew that have been literally stranded by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises with no pay, no way to get home, no food, no water and deplorable conditions. These crew men and women have been grossly mistreated by WJBC. To make a long story short you would have to go to www.jammerbabe.com/flotilla and read most of it under the Breaking News and Crew Assistance Forums. Alot of people are grasping at idea on how to help these people so if you have any ideas they would be most welcome. These crew members come mostly from throughout the Caribbean. Thank you for any insights.

I just went through a few posts on that forum. Am I to understand that with Windjammer Cruises collapsing, some of the ships are stranded at foreign ports?? Thats just crazy!

I also noticed the decent sums of money being collected to keep them surviving. Wouldn't it be money better spent to fly or float them back to where they live? I'm sure some cruise line passing by would help if they could. Even a few at a time? Maybe they could request to work aboard another ship that comes in, to pay for the ride home?

How many stranded people are we talking about here?

How long have they been stranded?

Why isn't this on the news? (or did I miss it)

Have any of the crew been able to fly themselves home?

Thats the craziest situation I've ever heard of!

The cruise line thing is a good idea. Not sure how it would work out but may be plausible. I know there is alot involved as for working but I will mention it.
There is alot of info on the website I gave but there is ALOT of posts to go through.
Some of the crew have already gone home. All of the ships are based out of foreign ports but WJ has just left them stranded. The ships are under "arrest" for non payment of vendors, port fees etc. I agree it should be in the news but no one seems that interested. personally I think it is modern day slavery and they have always treated the crew that way but it's a job albeit the pay sucks by most standards but better than what most of them could get at home. The company not paying them their tips is theft in my opion.
Anyway...I am not sure how many more are left on the ships. The Captains will not leave until the crew are taken care of.
At first they kept getting promises and promises from WJ that someone would show up with money from the home office and they either never did or it wasn't near enough. These are proud people who just kept hoping for a miracle.
I believe most of the money now is going towards getting these people home so they can get on with life somehow. Some are from Jamaica, most from Guyana, some from Trinidad or St Vincent or Grenada.
The whole situation is appalling to me and if anyone has an idea how to truly get this out in the news that would be great.

One of the reason why countries all around the world have embassies, Consulate and reprentatives worldwide is to take care of their citizen at the foreign land. If each one of this people go to their individual embassies, the ambassador should get them home. I know for sure if an American goes to American embassy at any place in the world, they are given the utmost support and care as well as get them home, as long it is not crime or drug related, or violation of the countries of visit, laws.The government of the citizen/crews involved should be able to put pressure of the ship owners, corporation, or whoever employes is or file a lawsiut on behave of the worker to recoup all and any money spent, even if the ship owner/ employer declares bankruptcy, it's got to be some money left in their curfers after the sales of their assets.
All that are involved in this ugly predicament should seek some legal relief or redress somehow, no use sitting at the foreign ports or at sea lanquishing away, and suffering hoping against hope. If one cannot go forward,you can always go backwards and start over. My two cent, if any one cares.

As of today most of the crew have now gotten home and/or have tickets to get home. They have been scared to leave the ships because they were afraid that they would never see the pay owed them. I fear they probably never will anyway but lawyers have been involved and have assured them that even if the ship isn't under arrest they can leave and are entitled to their pay owed them. Thanks for the info.

Also, jusy FYI the the governments/embassies of individual countries were contacted and unfortunately unlike the USA they are not quite so helpful in aid.