Today... [Vikash] Mishra, 34, the second engineer on the Tamim Aldar, has finally had the news he has been waiting for. He has been paid 80% of his wages and hopes to be home for Christmas...

Mishra, who is now in Dubai maritime city port, said via a WhatsApp audio message: “We are very lucky. So many people are abandoned here, without salary, without anything. After 39 months, I can go home and see my family..."

The company could not be contacted for this article. Mubarak Marine, a company which has been looking after the seafarers since August, did not respond.