Seafarer survives fractured spine
(Posted on 11/12/18)
A Filipino seafarer is recovering in hospital after fracturing his spine falling from a ladder on 14 November.
Adriano Gicos, 55, was descending into the ship’s hold when he slipped and fell four metres, while travelling from Singapore to Brazil. Colleagues who witnessed the accident had to use a crane to get him back to his cabin, where they administered basic first aid.
As a result of the fall, Adriano, a chief officer, suffered serious spinal injuries, which have required surgery to enable him to walk again.
He is recovering in Meridional Hospital in the Brazilian city of Vitória, where he is being cared for by Ailton De Souza, a port chaplain from international maritime charity Sailors’ Society. Ailton said, “A few days ago Adriano could only move his fingers and he needed help eating.”
Although currently unable to walk, he is receiving daily physiotherapy and his movement is slowly returning. “Considering he was in intensive care, Adriano’s recovery is a miracle,” Ailton added.
Adriano has been at sea for more than 20 years and this is the first accident he’s had in his long career.
Ailton said, “He said he was focused on what he was doing and couldn’t understand how it happened.” Ailton is helping Adriano access the internet so he can contact his wife and two sons back in the Philippines.
Sailors’ Society’s CEO Stuart Rivers, said, “Seafaring is one of the most dangerous jobs going. Seafarers like Adriano risk their lives to deliver 90 per cent of the goods we rely upon daily. “When crises like this strike, our team is on hand to support seafarers and their families in need.”
Latest News
Shipping takes major sustainable plastic step with toolkit from MACS
(Posted on 16/07/26)The Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS) has published a series of practical guides to enable... Read more
Shanghai climbs to second as Singapore retains top spot
(Posted on 16/07/26)Shanghai has officially become the world’s second-most prominent shipping hub, according to the... Read more
OceanScore sees growing port adoption of PortView
(Posted on 16/07/26)OceanScore, the maritime data and sustainability company helping shipping and ports turn regulatory... Read more
INTERCARGO highlights progress and priorities in bulk carrier safety
(Posted on 07/07/26)Bulk carrier safety continues to show steady long-term improvement, but the nature of risk facing seafarers... Read more
Norden raises full-year guidance following strong performance in dry cargo
(Posted on 07/07/26)Following stronger than expected operational performance in dry cargo, reduced costs associated with... Read more
Algoma announces refinancing of long-term debt
(Posted on 03/07/26)Algoma Central Corporation, a leading provider of marine transportation services, has announced that... Read more
Global maritime under threat from Fortibleed incident, warns Cydome
(Posted on 03/07/26)Major maritime, ports and energy companies have been identified by Cydome’s threat-intelligence... Read more
Crewing specialist expands global recruitment network with Indonesian seafarers
(Posted on 30/06/26)As the global shipping industry faces mounting concerns over future crew availability, Danica Crewing... Read more
IMO pauses evacuation in Strait of Hormuz following attack
(Posted on 29/06/26)Following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman, IMO has decided to temporarily pause its evacuation... Read more
Human cost of keeping world trade moving highlighted on Day of the Seafarer
(Posted on 25/06/26)Leading health and wellness platform OneCare Group is calling on shipping leaders to recognise the immense... Read more
