Caribbean news. Relatives of a cruise ship crew member, who died while the ship was docked in Dominica, are concerned about the lack of information from local authorities.
A source close to the matter told DNO that the crew member, a native of the Philippines, died on the ship, M/S Seabourne Pride, while in port in Roseau on January 24.
According to the source, who works on the ship, the body was taken ashore and since then nothing has been done.
The source said the dead crew member’s family is very distressed since they have not heard anything and they are not sure what is going to happen to the body of their loved one.
He said they are now in urgent need of answers.
Visitors disembarking from a cruise ship in Dominica. Photo courtesy www.dominica-weekly.com.
“She has been there for more than 2 weeks already,” the source said. “Nothing has been done, and her family in the Philippines have no idea why it is taking so long.”
Friends of the dead woman are now threatening to take the matter to various travel sites and Facebook.
DNO contacted the police but PRO, Inspector John Carbon, said the matter is beyond the scope of local law enforcement.
“It is completely out of our hands. The police have nothing to do with that,” he said. “In the first place the person did not die in Dominica so the body should not even be in Dominica … so it has nothing to do with the police.”
DNO contacted HHV Whitchurch & Co. LTD, the local agent for Seabourn Pride, but was told that the shipping department is unable to comment since the matter is being handled by the ministry of tourism.
When contacted, ministry of tourism officials denied having any information on the incident.
DNO’s call to the ministry was cut short by an individual who stated, “no, we have no information on the matter.”
DNO understands the body of the dead crew member is presently at Lynhurst Funeral Home.
The funeral home confirmed the body is in fact being stored there but DNO was told that it is “being prepared” to be “shipped out.”
Article courtesy Dominica News Online
