A.P.M Moeller-Maersk (Maersk), the largest container shipping line by market share, has said the search for the missing seafarer who fell overboard from the Maersk Patras on May 19, 2019, has been suspended.
In a statement, Maersk’s COO, Soren Toft, said: “It is with regret we have received the news that the search and rescue operation was unsuccessful and we must conclude that we have lost our colleague.
“It is a tragic situation for the family and we have offered them our full support. My deepest condolences and thoughts go to them.”
The carrier has also confirmed that the seafarer was a 2nd Officer from Sri Lanka and that it is in contact with the relatives as well as crew members of the Maersk Patras, who will receive crisis counselling.
As well as that, Maersk has said it will also cooperate fully with the authorities in the investigation.
The accident occurred at approximately 9:30 am local time when the 2nd Officer fell into the St Lawrence River, Canada.
Several vessels, including the Maersk Patras, supported by airborne assets, were involved in the search and rescue operations, coordinated by the Marine Search and Rescue Centre (MRSC) of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Search and rescue operations began immediately and were called off at approximately 20:00 local time by the MRSC.