Sunday, March 27, 2011

Three Missing from Cuban Crew of Shipwrecked Panama Vessel

Three Missing from Cuban Crew of Shipwrecked Panama Vessel

HAVANA – Cuba's Transport Ministry said Saturday that the Panamanian
vessel with a cargo of salt that sank a week ago in the Caribbean was
manned by a crew of 11 Cubans, eight of whom were rescued while the
other three are still missing.

The shipwreck of the freighter Helga took place on March 19 off the
coast of Belize on a voyage from Mexico to Honduras with a cargo of bulk
salt, the note published this Saturday in the official daily Granma said.

According to the communique, Belize authorities "have carried out an
extensive search by air and sea at the place where the ship went down
and the surrounding areas" since they were first notified of the accident.

As a result, eight of the 11 crew members were rescued and are "in a
good state of health." They returned to Cuba last Wednesday.

Still to be found are the boat's captain, Arturo Edreira, chief engineer
Alexis Gonzalez, and helmsman Nelson Perez.

"Cuban officials are coordinating closely with the authorities in Belize
in the search and rescue operations, while also coordinating the
investigation of the incident with Panamanian maritime authorities," the
note said.

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=14510&ArticleId=390252

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