I had posted about one of the largest intermodal ocean carriers declaring bankruptcy and how their ships are just stranded in-between ports. Nobody will allow them to dock because there is no indication that they will be paid for their efforts. Now this - from the Canada's Vancouver SUN:
ART SEEN: Stranded at sea, British artist sees her surroundings with new eyes
Rebecca Moss is the British artist stranded on the Hanjin Geneva owned by the Hanjin shipping line that filed for receivership Wednesday. She was on board as part of the 23 Days at Sea Residency organized by Access Gallery in Vancouver.
The Hanjin Geneva is now somewhere off the coast of Japan near Tokyo. It cannot dock because ports around the world have barred Hanjin ships over concerns that include the payment of port and service fees.
I composed several questions and sent them to Moss via Kimberly Phillips, the curator/director at Access Gallery. Phillips is in touch with Moss by email. Moss’s answers have been edited for context and style.
The first story on Moss’s situation appeared Thursday in The Vancouver Sun.
Q: When did you hear that the Hanjin Shipping Line filed for receivership?
A: I heard (Wednesday) morning (Sept 1st).
How were you told?
I went down in the morning for my breakfast and the Captain was waiting for me. I poured myself a coffee and he told me to brace myself for a change of plan. He was very matter-of-fact and said he is going to do everything to ensure the passengers and crew arrive safely at a port at the earliest opportunity.
Travelling on freighters is supposed to be a really nice way to get away from civilization for a while and it is a lot cheaper than commercial cruise ships ($80 - $120/day). There are not the amenities but - you were wanting to get away from civilization for a while anyway, remember? There is also a long-standing tradition of having artists spending a residency at scientific outposts - the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Artists and Writers Program (AAW) has hosted some amazing people and the work produced has been gorgeous.
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