The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has facilitated the safe repatriation of 12 seafarers who had been stranded aboard the MV Rahaf Moon in Ghanaian waters for several months.

The seafarers, comprising nine Indians, two Azerbaijanis and one Turkish national, were left in difficult circumstances after the vessel, registered under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis, ceased operations.

The vessel was identified in Ghanaian waters on January 20, 2026, after support from its owner, ATSE Global Shipping Company Limited, stopped.

According to the GMA, the crew endured prolonged hardship, including limited access to food and fresh water, while their unpaid wages accumulated to more than US$150,000.

Concerned about the welfare of the stranded crew, the GMA brought together several stakeholders to find a solution. These included the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Point 3 Logistics, Boti Crew, the vessel’s Protection and Indemnity Club, legal representatives, the Indian High Commission and the Turkish Embassy in Ghana.

Emergency supplies, including food, water and fuel, were provided to the crew while arrangements were made to safeguard the vessel and ensure the seafarers could eventually return home.

The intervention also resulted in the recovery of four months of outstanding wages for the crew.

The 12 seafarers were eventually repatriated to their respective home countries on July 23, 2026, bringing an end to their months-long ordeal.

The GMA said the remaining wage claims will continue to receive priority under international maritime law as legal proceedings concerning the vessel are pursued.

The MV Rahaf Moon, which is currently under the custody of the GPHA, is undergoing legal processes towards a judicial sale. The proceeds from the eventual sale are expected to be dealt with under the applicable legal processes, including approved expenses and maintenance-related claims.

Following the departure of the crew, the GMA said it deployed a qualified Ghanaian skeletal crew to maintain security and essential operations onboard the vessel.

The Authority also said it is working to establish a legal framework for managing proceeds from any future judicial sale of the vessel.

The GMA described the intervention as part of its commitment to protecting seafarers’ welfare and ensuring Ghana complies with international maritime standards.

The case, it added, underscores the importance of cooperation among maritime authorities, diplomatic missions, shipping stakeholders and other institutions when the welfare of seafarers is at risk.