(HALIFAX, Nova Scotia) — A crew of Filipino sailors was recovering in Halifax on Monday after a harrowing weekend at sea left one member dead and three others injured, CBC News reported.
The bulk carrier Giulia I was reportedly hit by a large wave Saturday about 320 nautical miles southeast of Nova Scotia while on its way to Africa from Virginia. The ship left Norfolk, Va., with 20 crew on board. A distress call was received at 2:12 p.m. AT and the vessel diverted to Halifax, where it arrived just before 1 a.m. Monday.
Karl Risser, an inspector with the International Transport Workers Federation, said the crewmembers on board were understandably shaken up after losing a fellow sailor, a 30-year-old man.
“I had the chance to visit the vessel today and talk to some of the seafarers,” Risser said Monday. “Obviously they’re very traumatized by the incident and we’re working with them to provide support from our community here in Halifax.”
Risser said the crewmembers hoped to get off the vessel before setting sail again.
“Unfortunately in the times of COVID, it’s very difficult,” Risser said. “We have a shore-leave process, but it has to be agreed to by the shipowner and we’re working really hard to make sure we can get these guys off for a little while.”
Transport Canada is leading the investigation into the accident.
