On Saturday morning I met the crew on board the MV Vancouver Express. The Polish Chief Officer greeted me in the ship's office. I gave my condolences and asked him what had happened. He was willing to talk and did not seem to be in a hurry. What was supposed to be a normal routine maintenace procedure turned into a tragedy.
One of the AB's ( able seaman ) severely injured one of his legs. After the accident crew members transported him to the first aid room where he was given morphine against the pain. The C/O beliefs that a splintered bone must have severed a main artery which caused a lot of bleeding. For ten hours they tried everything to stop the bleeding but to no avail and so he did not survive. During that time the captain also changed the ship's course towards the Russian coast in the hope that a helicopter could evacuate the wounded seafarer to a hospital. However, the distance was too far and with stormy weather conditions the helicopter was grounded.
During lunch time I chatted with some of the crew members. They seemed to be quite relaxed but you could notice the stress from the ordeal that was stll so fresh in their memory. I did not have to do a memorial service since Father John from the ( RCC ) Stella Maris had already celebrated the Mass on board the ship. The ship sailed Sunday to Seattle and will dock again tonight at Roberts Bank I hope to meet them again tomorrow!
