The search and rescue mission for the crew of the fishing vessel ST VINCENT VII ended in mourning after the ship’s captain died just hours after being pulled from the water.
Trinidad’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that 66-year-old Anthony Murray, a Trinidadian national, passed away while aboard the rescue ship that had come to his aid.
Captain Murray was part of a six-member crew rescued on Tuesday by the MV MARVEL KITE. Official reports indicate that while the captain initially seemed stable and showed no obvious signs of pain or distress, his condition deteriorated rapidly in the hours following the rescue.
The crew of the MV MARVEL KITE eventually observed Murray exhibiting shallow breathing, and he was found to be lifeless shortly thereafter.
The rescue vessel had been en route to St. Lucia to meet with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard vessel CG25 when the emergency occurred. In response to the captain’s condition, the vessel was diverted to St. Vincent for a formal declaration of death and to ensure the remaining crew members received immediate medical attention.
Murray was officially pronounced dead at 11:23 p.m. on Wednesday, and his body was moved to a hospital mortuary.
The five surviving crew members were transferred from the MV MARVEL KITE to the St Vincent Coast Guard late Wednesday night. Upon arrival at the Kingstown Cruise Ship Terminal, they underwent vital sign checks before being taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for further examination.
Officials confirmed that the survivors would be accommodated at the Cobblestone Hotel in Kingstown following their discharge from the hospital.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the government of Trinidad and Tobago have extended their thanks to the government of St. Vincent and the crew of the MV MARVEL KITE for their assistance during the recovery operation.
