A super tanker at anchor of the Egyptian coast, the third mate is on watch. The third mate had complained before commencing duty that he had a severe headache, he had the keys to the ships medicine cabinet.
During his four hour duty he disappeared, nowhere to be found, no evidence that he had dispensed drugs for his headache from the medicine cabinet, to make matters worse his wife of just twelve weeks was aboard.
The Egyptian authorities became involved and in a wish to 'wash their hands' of the matter tried to persuade the captain to sign a formal document that the third mate had been seen to fall overboard, the captain rightly refused to sign, upped anchor and sailed out to international waters.
Securewest International was contacted by the ships lawyers who asked for an immediate investigation to be conducted.
Without delay experienced investigators joined the ship and organised a thorough search of the ship, the third mate was still not found.
As a result of the investigation that followed it was established with conclusive evidence that the third mate just prior to his disappearance had discovered that his new wife was having an affair with a member of the ship's crew. As a result he committed suicide by attaching weights to himself and throwing himself overboard.
Securewest International's investigating team were not only able to establish the exact location where this was tragic incident happened but were also able to organise the successful recovery of the third mate's body.
The ship owners were correct to request the services of Securewest International. Firstly they were concerned as to the whereabouts and fate of the third mate. Secondly any liability issues that the third mate had been allowed to continue his duty despite claiming of a headache and his access to administer medicines from the ships drugs cabinet whilst his judgement was arguably impaired.
Case Studies