The crew of a ship detained in Dublin Port by safety inspectors hope to return home to the Philippines later today following negotiations by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITWF).
The Elwoodwas initially detained in December at Greenore port, Co Louth, after Department of the Marine inspectors raised safety concerns.
The crew had been due to fly home yesterday, but these flights were cancelled indefinitely after a tug chartered by the ship's owners to tow the vessel to Rotterdam was also detained at Dublin Port on safety grounds.
This is the second time the crews' flights home have been cancelled.
ITWF inspector Tony Ayton told ireland.comthe owners were willing to allow up to seven of the crew depart but that a skeleton crew of four may have to remain with the Elwooduntil it was possible to tow it.
Mr Ayton said he has written to the crew's employer asked that all the crew be repatriated within 24 hours. "The problem is the tug, and the fact that you cannot leave an unmanned vessel at dock in the port.
"The crew were willing to stay until Monday [yesterday] to ready the ship for towing but any further delays are unacceptable."
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