Ro-Pax crewmember killed in berthing mishap in Chile

A crewmember on a Chilean Ro-Pax was killed as the vessel he was working on was being secured to the berth at the Tres Puentes marine terminal near Punta Arenas on Sunday, April 28.

The victim, who has been identified as 40-year-old Ronald Ojeda Reyes, died of hypovolemic shock almost instantly at around 08:00 local time after his right arm became entangled in and was torn off by the heavy mooring cables that were to be used to stabilise the 96- by 16-metre Pathagon.

Mr Ojeda was reportedly attempting to manually test the stability and tension of the mooring cables when the incident occurred.

Police officials ordered Pathagon’s master to delay their scheduled voyage to Porvenir until the afternoon of Sunday to allow investigators to board the vessel and examine the scene of the mishap.

The victim’s body has since been taken into custody by local authorities for autopsy.