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Seafarer killed in self-handling accident in Dutch port
1 February 2007
A Filipino seafarer has been crushed to death by an eight-ton container on an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged vessel berthed in the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The tragedy happened while crewmembers were lashing cargo.
The Filipino seafarer, Glenn Cuevas, was employed by Marlow Navigation, based in Cyprus.
The accident took place on board the mv Eucon Leader, owned by the German company, Bernd Becker KG, while it was moored at Rotterdam Shortsea Terminal on 21 January, according to the Dutch affiliate FNV Bondgenoten. The vessel is covered by an International Bargaining Forum (IBF) agreement, preventing cargo handling and lashing by seafarers unless the local dockers’ union is contacted to waive the relevant clause - this did not occur.
The union had on several previous occasions reminded the manager of the vessel about the cargo-handling clause, but to no avail.
The union has vowed to take action if this issue is not resolved. Meanwhile, the ITF has called for the company to ensure that managers of the vessel are aware of their obligations under the IBF agreement.
Frank Leys, ITF Dockers’ Section Secretary commented: "Seafarers already suffer from stress and fatigue because of their long working hours. If, on top of that, they are forced to do work that has traditionally and historically been done by dockers - lashing and securing containers - regrettably the risk of such tragedies are greatly enhanced."
The ITF will be helping Cuevas’ family to obtain compensation from the company.
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