Geest sailor seriously injured while unloading cargo at Portsmouth Port - Hampshire air ambulance called
Geest Line has said its thoughts are with the seriously injured seafarer
An investigation has been launched after a sailor was seriously injured in an accident onboard a commercial ship at Portsmouth Port.
The incident happened on board the Luzon Strait, a refrigerated cargo ship operated by Geest.
The company confirmed that during discharge operations on Sunday, one the seafarers suffered injuries on board the ship and the air ambulance was called. It landed on the port’s multistorey car park.
A statement from Geest said: “We would like to express our deep concern over the incident. Our thoughts remain with the injured seafarer and his family as he continues to receive intensive medical care.
“Immediately following the incident, the master of Luzon Strait activated the vessel's response procedures and informed the authorities and port emergency services. The exact circumstances of the incident are yet unknown.
“Jointly with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Maritime Accident and Investigation Board (MAIB) and port authorities, the vessel owners have started an investigation into the root cause of the incident.
“In the meantime, the Luzon Strait has been cleared by authorities to proceed on its voyage and departed from Portsmouth on Tuesday, October 6.”
A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said confirmed that the air ambulance had been sent out to the incident but said that the patient was taken by road ambulance to Southampton General Hospital. He said that the patient had serious injuries and was supported by air ambulance staff at the scene.
Luzon Strait is a refrigerated cargo ship - also known as a reefer - operated by Geest Line. Geest, which mainly imports bananas, has a purpose-built warehouse in Portsmouth, and has been associated with the port for many years. It left Hampshire for a short time after buying bigger boats, but after changes were made to the harbour, it returned in 2019.