This Russian cruise ship has been held in St. John's since late September. This Russian cruise ship has been held in St. John's since late September. (Glenn Payette/ CBC)

The owner of a Russian cruise ship stranded in St. John's says he has found a buyer for the vessel, according to crewmembers.

The Luybov Orlova was arrested by Canadian officials on Sept. 24 because its owner, Oleg Uliyanchenko, owes hundreds of thousands of dollars to a Canadian company.

"He told us that he find somebody and they make deal," crewmember Antone Federovsky said.

More than 50 people who work on the ship have been living on the ship in St. John's for more than three weeks. They told CBC News they haven't been paid for five months.

A group helping the 49 Russian and two Ukranian crewmembers hopes the boat will be sold. It says the money from the sale should go towards paying more than $300,000 in back wages that crewmembers are owed.

But the national co-ordinator for the International Transportation Workers Federation said Uliyanchenko didn't mention the pending sale last time he spoke with him.

"He asked us 12 days ago to give him 10 to 12 days to sort out some additional financing. He has been silent," said Peter Lahay.

Lahay said the Federation's next step is to call for the vessel to be auctioned off.

"We'll be seeking an order to arrest the vessel and appoint an admiralty marshall for the sale of the ship," he said.

The Lyubov Orlova was used during the summer for adventure tourism trips to northern Labrador.

No passengers were on the ship when it was arrested.