A Filipino seaman was killed when large waves hit the deck of his ship while traveling across the ocean to Canada.
In a report by Chino Gaston on GMA News “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the seaman was identified as Jake Marinduque. Three others were allegedly injured.
Marinduque’s ship allegedly sailed from Norfolk, Virginia in the United States and was on its way to Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada when they experienced bad weather.
The seaman’s wife Kathleen found out what had happened to her husband on January 31, but was informed that he was dead the next day.
“Dumating po ako doon sa opisina. Tsaka lang nila sinabi na wala na siya, na siya lang ang nawala, na humampas siya, may malakas na alon, humampas siya. ‘Yun lang po, tumama siya sa bakal,” said Kathleen.
Marinduque was said to be alive when he was taken to the ship’s infirmary but also died three hours later.
Based on information gathered by the family from Canadian authorities, Marinduque died of injuries to the head, chest, and spine.
Three other Marinduque comrades were injured in the incident but were not picked up by a helicopter from the ship due to bad weather.
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Filipino seaman dies after waves slam ship
Kathleen couldn’t help but wonder why her husband was on the deck even though the weather was bad.
“May mga messages ‘yung mga seaman sa akin na sila daw kapag may makakasalubong na bagyo, ‘pag alam na nila na andito, magrere-route daw ‘yung kapitan. Sila aalamin na nila kung saan puwedeng dumaan. Bakit hindi nila ginawa iyon, diba? Tapos nagta-trabaho pa po sila,” said Kathleen.
The family also wants the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to conduct an investigation into Marinduque’s complaint about the overtime schedule and lack of time to rest.
The manpower agency Elburg Shipmanagement has not released a statement regarding the incident.
The seaman’s family said OWWA already contacted them.
It is not yet known when Marinduque’s remains will be repatriated.