About 20 sailors and officers have been stranded in the Clyde port since their ship, a giant bulk carrier, was impounded at the beginning of August.

The men – most of whom are from the Philippines – are said to be bored after 10 weeks of their ship being tied up at Inchgreen Dock .

But the sailors, who are more used to the sunny tropics than a Clydeside autumn, have brightened up their stay watching Morton's recent run of five wins and a draw.

They can almost see their ship – the 87,000-ton Naples-registered Mariolina de Carlini – from Cappielow.

One fan said: "It was great to see the sailors turn up at the ground because the community have been really welcoming for them."

The Mariolina de Carlini is held at Greenock under civil arrest warrant, served because of the debts of its owner, an Italian company called Rizzo-Bottiglieri-De Carlini Armatori sgpa.

International shipping sources say millions are owed and two other ships in the fleet have been impounded in Singapore.

The Evening Times understands the company, whose chief executive Giuseppe Mauro Rizzo was last year named Entrepreneur Of The Year at the Italian shipping awards, is refinancing in an attempt to pay off its debts and have its ships released.

Inchgreen Dock owner Clydeport confirmed the ship had been impounded on August 2, but stressed it was doing everything it could to help the crew and their Italian officers.

Captain Ron Bailey said: "When the ship arrived at Inchgreen it was Clydeport's responsibility to ensure it remained safe and with that we also have the welfare of the crew in mind.

"Our involvement has been to keep in close touch with the crew and officers to check what the overall situation is.

"There was a period when they were not paid, which obviously caused them concern, and this was when I was asked on their behalf to contact the relevant consuls. However, in a situation such as this, their greatest problem becomes boredom.

"I am told the Master and chief engineer have become regulars at a local Italian cafe and have visited the Greenock Italian Club.

"Clydeport and the community have rallied round to help the crew and we hope the overall situation will be resolved by the end of the month, allowing them to sail south again."

Captain Bailey invited the The Apostleship Of The Seas, a charity that supports mariners, to visit the ship, especially when the crew were running out of money.

Richard Haggarty, of the charity, said: "Our ship volunteer in Greenock is a regular visitor and has been trying to keep the crew's spirits up.

"Most of the men are Filipinos and they are used to temperatures of 35°C (91°F) and not our weather, so we have brought them woollen hats.

"We have been taking them out shopping and visiting places in Inverclyde and some of them have gone to Mass.

"It is a good job the ship is alongside – we had one case some years back when one was anchored in the middle of the Clyde and we could only help by phone."

Neither sailors nor officers are allowed to talk to the press. However, friends said they really appreciated their warm welcome in Greenock.

Elisa Mazzoni, Italy's consular agent in Greenock, visited the Italian officers to make sure they were okay. She said: "They were full of admiration for the people of Inverclyde."

david.leask@eveningtimes.co.uk