Story behind M/V Astoria crewman death

[Charles McAllister]

According to a crewman, the April 5 fatal lifeboat accident on M/V Astoria that killed A/B Pepito Flores was the result of a known fault in davits that caused a similar but non-fatal accident less than a year ago.  The company reportedly refused to fix it because it was "too expensive to repair".

A few years ago, M/V Astoria was detained in Greenwich for filth in galleys, but slipped away.

Story and photo here: http://www.cargolaw.com/2000nightmare_singles.only.html#Pepito

This accident did not receive much publicity because it happened at the same time as the Sea Diamond incident.

[CedricH]

Hi,

it's a shame money is more important than the life of a man
They should have done something about the problem last year!

Regards
Cedric

[ssoastdav]

Hi Charmchuk,
I was the crew member who reported this. I was a senior officer on the Astoria and resigned because of what happened. Pepito was a good friend of mine but unfortunateely the attitude of the Captain seemed to be "it's just a Filipino we can get another". I don't think I will go back to cruise ships again after 30 years at sea.

[Stephen Lee]

Hi
I have also worked for companies that have ignored safety rules & with the same attitude that its just cheap labour when it comes to crew members
The captain should be arrested. (he will blame the company)
Dont give up on 30 years at sea KEEP GOING.
REGARDS Stephen :pint:

[CedricH]

ssoastdav wrote:
the attitude of the Captain seemed to be "it's just a Filipino we can get another".

That's an attitude I really can't stand.
It's a person who almost got killed! It's not that he's less of a man because he's a Filipino!

Regards
Cedric

[Charles McAllister]

ssoastdav,

Thank you for having the courage to report this.  I admire you.  It is only when more people know about things like this that, perhaps there is a chance things will improve.

Like others, I hope you might reconsider your decision and go to sea with another line.  Officers like you might make things better for crews.

Whatever you decide, I salute you for what you have done in reporting this.

[Charles McAllister]

CedricH wrote:
It's a person who almost got killed!
Regards
Cedric

Cedric,

Thanks for your support.  Just so you know, Pepito Flores was killed in the accident.  Several others were almost killed.