> Crew members or the countries where the ships are registered or docked can pursue the shipowners in court. But recovering past wages can be a yearslong battle

> Crew members or the countries where the ships are registered or docked can pursue the shipowners in court. But recovering past wages can be a yearslong battle that often fails. And if you just stay on the ship long enough, a court will appear right on the deck? Sorry, man, this is a self-inflicted problem. Not being paid for 10 years starts with not being paid for a month, and then three and so on. At some point, it's just your choice. Even if the money were to materialize, there is no way the guy is getting paid for the time spent on the ship after it was abandoned. That's like continuing to show up to work to an abandoned office building after the company has folded, expecting to get paid for all that time one day. I think that guy is just running away from something. While he stays on the ship, he has an ongoing excuse for all his inaction (in his mind) and doesn't have to face anything. Obviously, he's clothed and fed somehow, probably from doing odd jobs at the docks? And that lifestyle tied to the ship suits him fine.