The mother of a man trapped on a ship off the coast of America fears he could remain on the “floating prison” for a further three months.

Ben Ash, from Greenhill in Herne Bay, has been unable to return home for the past month after the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel went into lockdown on March 14.

The 20-year-old, who had been employed by the company as a performer, has since been unable to board several flights back to the UK and does not know when he will be able to return home.

Mum Michelle Ash says NCL has not been able to secure Ben and four other cast members a flight back to England because there are just five Brits on board – and says the firm will not charter a flight for fewer than 100 people.

“NCL have told them that there are no plans for them and that they’ll be sailing indefinitely,” the 48-year-old said.

“The earliest I’ve heard he’d be able to get off is mid-July.

“All five of them feel incredibly trapped and only come out of their cabins to eat and get a bit of air.”

"All five of them feel forgotten, lost and let down..."

United States authorities have ordered all foreign ships to care for any infected passengers on board in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19 and ease pressure on hospitals.

Almost 80,000 cruise ship workers are marooned on about 100 ships off the coast of America, according to government agencies.

Michelle says the ship, called the Norwegian Escape, has not had any cases of the potentially-deadly illness onboard – but is still not being permitted to let its crew leave.

Ben and his remaining cast members had also attempted to secure a place on a flight organised by the British Government on April 7 from Nassau, while the cruise liner was docked in the Bahamas.

“I was asking for special permission from the Nassau port authorities for the boys to get to the airport, but we weren’t able to get the permission,” Michelle continued.

“We weren’t asking for the boys to get off and go on a jaunt; we were asking for them to get off and go straight to the airport."

The ship was most recently docked in Port Canaveral, Florida, but set out to sea yesterday.

And Michelle says her son is becoming increasingly disheartened by the situation.

“All five of them feel forgotten, lost and let down," she added. "It feels like a bit of a floating prison.

"We’re trying to support them as best we can, but they need to be home with their families.”

Michelle says the Foreign Office has liaised with NCL about the situation and that it has been told that the cruise line is responsible for getting the performers back to the UK.

She has launched an online petition, which has received almost 2,900 signatures, calling for Ben to be secured a journey home.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our consular teams are doing everything they can, especially for those in difficulty, to keep Brits informed on the latest developments and help them return - on commercial flights where they are still available or special charter flights as well.

"We’ll continue working around the clock to bring people home.”

To sign Michelle's petition, click here.

NCL has been approached for comment.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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