THE 18 crew of a Russian ship have been left high and dry after the vessel was impounded on Teesside.

When it docked on the south side of the Tees, on November 16, the Vismark Gloria was impounded due to a dispute between the vessel's owners and charterers, in a rare move by the admiralty marshal.

It received a further setback when the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, on examining the 30-year-old ship, judged it unsafe, and ordered that restoration work be carried out before it departed.

Almost two weeks on, the ship is still moored at the North Sea Supply base, just above the Transporter Bridge.

Its fed-up crew are almost out of provisions.

Keith Taylor, a port chaplain with the South Tees Seaman's Mission, said last night: "The crew hasn't been paid for a while now, although they have been promised by the owners that they will be paid at the next port.

"Its food is quite low, but hopefully more should be sent today."

Mr Taylor said he was not encouraged by the fact that the ship's owners are unknown.

Meanwhile, the Mission for Seafarers has paid for groceries, and pledged to continue helping until supplies arrive.

l To make a donation, call the mission on (01642) 460244