Crewman’s family seeks assistance

The family of a 27-year-old crewman who died from suffocation while repairing machinery inside the pumproom of an oil tanker sought government assistance yesterday for the prompt compensation.

Engineer Macario Diva, an oiler of the motor tanker Arabian Horse III, reportedly died in the morning of Jan. 23 from fumes of petroleum products while being discharged at an oil depot in San Fernando, La Union, according to the ship captain, Leopoldo Cordova.

Pumpman Victor Calamba assisted oiler Sonny Cagayan in rescuing Diva who was unconscious when found inside the pumproom.

Diva was taken to the ship’s emergency room, where he was given first aid. He was then rushed to the hospital, but died along the way.

An investigation is now in progress to determine the liability of the tanker in the incident.

Meanwhile, Cordova has filed a marine protest with the Philippine Coast Guard as a first step for compensation. — Nestor Etolle