Ken Fleming, an inspector for the International Transport Federation, told The Irish Times conditions on board The Lady Chiara were "appalling" and almost the worst he has seen during his two years on the job. He said the crew members were desperate.

"Some of them cried with relief when we came aboard," he said.

The vessel, docked at Ringaskiddy, Cork, in southern Ireland, was unloaded after it was restocked and the captain released money owed to the crew. Three crew members were to be flown home from Belfast, the ship's next port of call.

The Lady Chiara was the second ship in three weeks to be held up at Ringaskiddy because of union objections to living conditions on board.