Electrocuted Chinese sailor dies

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — Police authorities confirmed that the injured Chinese ship crew member who was electrocuted while aboard their dry bulk carrier has died hours after undergoing treatment in a local hospital here.

Reports from the Police Station 11 disclosed that Hanzhong Shan, 50, married from China, was initially provided medical evacuation by the personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) following distress call from his ship Min Hua 9 around 11 a.m. last Tuesday while transiting Basilan Strait.

The victim, with the coordination of the Bureau of Quarantine, was brought by the PCG to the local hospital for further treatment but died almost an hour later.

Investigation from Min Hua disclosed Shan was reportedly greasing the hatch cover of the vessel using an electric-powered oil dispenser when he fainted apparently due to electrical shock.

The victim collapsed and the lubricant oil dispenser fell over him.

The other crew managed to quickly cut off the electric power connecting the dispenser, according to the police.

The remains of the victim will be brought back to his hometown in China soon.

Meanwhile, the PCG’s initial inspection showed that dredging vessel Kang Ling 539, which has been rumored to be registered in six different countries, is a Philippine-flagged ship but it remains to be a “vessel of interest.”

PCG deputy spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina yesterday said they already conducted an inspection on Kang Ling 539, after President Marcos ordered them to inspect all dredging vessels in the country.

There are currently 27 dredging vessels operating in the country, of which the PCG has so far inspected 14 to check if they committed any violations.

Marcos gave the order after maritime security analyst Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, alleged that Kang Ling 539 was operating under six different flags including the Philippines, China, Sierra Leone, S?o Tomé and Principe, and Panama.

For the meantime, it has stopped its operations in Manila Bay.

Based on documents, the vessel “was previously a Chinese vessel and was converted into a Philippine-flagged vessel. It has all the pertinent documents of a Philippine-flagged vessel,” Encina said.

All its officers and crew are Filipinos. It is reportedly owned by Golden Tiger.

Due to Powell’s allegations, the ship is continuously being monitored. –  Evelyn Macairan