A SUPPORT group for seafarers in need is to be established on Portland.

A meeting will take place at Osprey Leisure Centre tomorrow to establish a team of volunteers who can rally round in times of need.

Supporters believe there are enough maritime incidents locally to justify such a support group.

It comes as five crewmen from the detained cargo ship Westwind II are still stranded on the island, more than four months on.

The Turkish and Georgian crewmen of the Westwind II are desperate to go home but dare not leave the ship as they are owed more than $80,000 in wages.

The vessel is being detained at Portland Port because of a damages claim against it that originally totalled nearly half a million pounds – brought by a Pacific oysters farm Lyme Bay Shellfish.

Mark Kemmis Betty, of the Apostleship of the Sea charity, said Westwind II had been alongside at Portland since October 17.

Mr Kemmis Betty added: “Lyme Bay Shellfish has now reduced its claim so it is hoped the matter will be resolved shortly.

“The crew are owed a lot of wages and every day they are there they should be getting paid.

“I visit on behalf of the Apostleship of the Sea to give some support but it’s still a bad situation for their families. They daren’t go home without any money.

“South West Coaches very kindly donated a month’s free bus travel for the crew to get to Weymouth, the curator of Bovington Tank Museum took them on a tour and Global Marine have been very helpful.”

No-one at Lyme Bay Shellfish was available for comment.

Retired seafarer and Portland town councillor Rod Wild is behind the initiative to set up a contact centre on the island for seafarers in need.

Coun Wild, who is chairman of the Portland Town Council Marine and Environment Committee, said since Westwind II had been alongside, a tanker heading for breakers in India was nearly impounded.

A ship was also holed and had to be repaired, an Arklow ships came in for engine repairs and a foreign warship visited. He added: “All of this shows it could be beneficial to have some sort of contact facility to advise distressed and visiting foreign seamen what is available for them ashore.”

To support the Westwind II crew call Mr Kemmis Betty on 01305 813895.