The Safmarine Mafadi is a container ship built in 2007 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. It has a gross tonnage of 50,686 tons and a length of 292 meters. The vessel has undergone several name changes and is currently known as the Maersk Tennessee.
In December 2020, a significant incident occurred aboard the Safmarine Mafadi that led to changes in Maersk’s operational policies. A seaman reported several safety concerns to the U.S. Coast Guard, including defective lifeboat equipment, crew alcohol use, inadequate supervision of cadet seamen, and a faulty bilge system. This whistleblower action resulted in the seaman’s termination, which was later found to be a violation of the Seaman’s Protection Act by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Following a thorough investigation and a three-day hearing in June 2024, Maersk agreed to revise its safety reporting policies. The company removed the requirement for employees to notify the company before contacting federal agencies, committed to avoiding future retaliation, and implemented training for all supervisors on the revised policy. This change aims to ensure that seafarers can report safety concerns without fear of retaliation, enhancing overall safety and compliance on Maersk vessels.
In a landmark decision stemming from a U.S. Department of Labor investigation, Maersk Line Limited, a titan in global marine […]
