Protesting Ukrainian sailors aboard the Bulgarian rescue ship Perun, which is currently in Dubai, refused to let another crew sail the vessel back to Bulgaria, the Maritime Administration reported Tuesday.

The seamen declared that they would leave Perun only after the company operating the ship pays them the salaries delayed for over three months.

A total of USD 300,000 is required in order the salaries to be paid and the ship freed, officials commented.

Perun was hired under the terms of a bareboat charter by the company Internet Agency in March 2007 but the contract was later terminated, as the company did not pay the rental installments to Bulgaria's Maritime Administration.

In January, Transport Minister Petar Mutafchiev ordered that Bulgaria's only operational rescue ship returns immediately and Maritime Administration sent their crew to get the vessel from Dubai.

Officials said Bulgaria would now ask the authorities of the emirate for help in resolving the situation.

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