A captain of a container ship has apparently committed suicide during a voyage from New York, United States to Tilbury, the UK, according to Apostleship of the Sea (AoS).
The 2,824 TEU Santa Bettina was one week into its voyage when the captain apparently took his own life on board, leaving its crew members distraught and traumatised, AoS said.
The vessel docked in Tilbury on May 21 where they were met by AoS port chaplain Fr Colum Kelly.
“I spent time listening to the crew and of the stress that they had been feeling during the voyage. It emerged the death took place one week into the voyage. It was the first time the crew had sailed with that captain so they knew very little about him,” said Fr Colum .
“His body was laid in his sealed cabin for the remainder of the voyage. Particularly distressed was the young seafarer who had discovered the body. It was the first time he had seen a corpse.”