Both The Attorney General’s Office of Cartagena, and The General Directorate of Maritime Colombia, announced on Apr 18, that they will carry out the investigation of ship’s Master death. His body was found at around 1700 LT Apr 16 on reportedly, main deck, while the ship was berthed. Colombian authorities therefore, are now legally responsible for conducting investigation and all respective actions which may come necessary, to find culprits and pursue justice.
UPDATE: Crew includes Burmese nationality and 2 Ethiopians. According to leaked crew information and Managers Zeaborn Ship Management, Master was killed by intruder or intruders
According to Colombian authorities, Master was killed by crew member or members. Colombian authorities not surprisingly, don’t want to investigate homicide and take the responsibility: “Under UNCLOS, any crime aboard Spirit of Hamburg would fall under the jurisdiction of her flag state, which will have primary responsibility for the investigation, prosecutors said”. Management and crew, on the other hand, are interested in “intruders” version. Situation is rather complicated, because if Colombian authorities refuse to investigate, then official investigation will be, technically, a big, nearly unsolvable, problem.
A statement in relation to the tragic incident in Cartagena
Hamburg, 18 April 2020, 0720 hours – Managers Zeaborn Ship Management regret to advise that in the afternoon of 16 April 2020 one of its valued seafarers of its managed container vessel Spirit of Hamburg has suffered fatal injuries following what is believed to be a violent incident with an intruder onboard the ship in the port of Cartagena, Colombia.
Zeaborn Shipmanagement would like to express its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the seafarer. The next of kin of the crew member have been notified and will be offered full support in this very difficult time. The crew of Spirit of Hamburg will be receiving psychological help following the tragic death of their colleague.
Immediately after the incident all relevant authorities and parties have been notified. Representatives of the company have arrived in Cartagena for further support to the crew. The exact circumstances of the violent incident are yet unknown and police have started an official investigation into the events and conducted interviews with the crew of Spirit of Hamburg. In order to not interfere with the investigation of the local police Zeaborn Shipmanagement will refrain from making any further statements at this stage.
Authorities in Colombia have meanwhile granted permission for the vessel to move from berth to inner anchorage.
Zeaborn Ship Management is aware of social media reports circulating that the crew would be of Filipino nationality. This is incorrect. We would like to add that three senior officers are one month beyond their contractual relief date, but they are showing great professionalism in making the best of the current relief/repatriation restrictions. All other crew are due for relief between now and October.
Press – Release
