Harsh and complex working environments can cost lives
Three members of the crew of cargo ship Suntis have died after falling ill on a while their ship was berthed at Goole docks, according to local police.
All three of the crew were taken to hospital in the early hours of Monday morning, but tragically all three later died despite treatment. The men, who have not been named, were a 60-year-old German, a 33-year-old and a 38-year-old, both from the Philippines. An investigation into their deaths is ongoing.
The Revd Andrew Wright, Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, said: “The tragic deaths on the Suntis illustrate clearly the dangers of working at sea. Despite laudable advancements in technology and training over the years, accidents do happen, and in harsh and complex working environments they can cost lives. Unfortunately, for many of the world’s 1.5 million seafarers, danger is often present despite safety measures, training and other precautions.
“Over 90 per cent of the goods we use every day come to us by sea, and we in the UK rely on this hidden workforce. It is regrettable that it takes an accident like this to bring them into the public eye. Incidents like these often leave the remaining crew shocked or traumatised, and we offer counselling and practical support to crews such as this one every day.“
Source: The Mission to Seafarers