The body of a Filipino seafarer has been brought ashore in Indonesia following an accident on a Japanese-owned bulker.
Reports from Indonesia said the crew member named as Crispin F Cadiz was killed when he was hit by a crane on the Panama-flag 82,000-dwt Lowlands Comfort (built 2016) in the Indian Ocean.
But manager STX Marine Service told TradeWinds the cause was “actually a deck disaster brought on by inclement weather”. Further clarification has been sought.
The Antara news agency said the Banda Aceh Search and Rescue Agency (SAR) took Cadiz’s body ashore on Thursday.
The vessel had been sailing from the US via the Suez Canal to China.
Ibnu Harris Al Hussain, head of Banda Aceh SAR, said: “The victim was hit by a crane while the ship he worked on was sailing in the Indian Ocean on 4 July. The victim was treated on the ship, but eventually passed away.”
The evacuation of the victim’s body took place 7.5 nautical miles (13.89 km) offshore in Bay of Bengal waters, between the Aceh Islands and Weh Island near Sabang city.
The operation involved the SAR ship KN Kresna 232.
The evacuation also involved personnel from the Indonesian Navy, the Malahayati Port Health Office (KKP) and customs and immigration officials.
“Upon arrival at Ulee Lheue Port, the body was transported to Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh by ambulance. The plan is, the body will be repatriated to his home country through Jakarta,” Al Hussain said.
The bulker is owned by Japan’s Doun Kisen and operated by Cobelfret of Belgium. The manager has been contacted for further information.
The vessel has insurance from the Japan P&I Club.
The Lowlands Comfort has no port state control detentions on its record.
