On 6th March 2018 container vessel MAERSK HONAM reported a serious fire in a cargo hold, enroute from Singapore towards Suez. After being unsuccessful in their firefighting efforts, the crew sent out a distress signal and a total of 23 crew members were safely rescued. Unfortunately, along with 2 Engine Cadets, 4 crew members were reported missing.
As per shocking revelations made by family of one of the Cadets who lost life in the accident, these two Engine Cadets were ordered to fight the fire on Bridge Area. Both Engine Cadets, John Rey Begaso and Janrey Genvatin lost their life while fighting fire. As per reports they were not even wearing proper fireman's outfit. Being the engine Cadet, probably they were not aware of the toxic cargo which vessel was carrying.
Questions are being asked how come Engine Cadets were ordered to fight the fire in Navigation Bridge Area? Did Master and other senior officers forced them to perform the fire fighting duty? Why no other senior officer or Deck crew were involved in fire fighting team and did Master of the vessel abandoned Engine Cadets to die?
Cadets are not the right person to handle any kind of emergency as they have hardly any experience. They are officer under training. In such kind of emergency how come Master & Chief Engineer ask them to handle the situation.
Mother of Engine Cadet Janrey Genvatin revealed these shocking facts in her open letter to Maersk.
After a month also, remains of these cadets are lying in port area. There bodies could not be identified. Their families are waiting for their remains to perform last rituals. In one month even the DNA samples have not been matched, so that families can claim the dead bodies which can't be recognized.
A reputed company like Maersk is also not cooperating with the families and trying to run down the whole episode. The reason may be the toxic and explosive cargo which Maersk Honam was carrying. Role of the Master and Chief Mate is also under suspicion as how they ordered Engine Cadets to fight the fire in Bridge Area without breathing apparatus. Their head should hand in shame.
Follow us