Longshoreman Killed During Ro-Ro Operations [Valencia, ES ~ 25 November 2015]

Longshoreman Killed During Ro-Ro Operations [Valencia, ES ~ 25 November 2015]

Posted by on Nov 25, 2015 in Bulletins

Longshoreman Killed During Ro-Ro Operations  [Valencia, ES ~ 25 November 2015]

Blueoceana Company is currently awaiting updates from friends at Valencia, but in the interim we’ve been made to understand that longshore worker Antonio Cortijo was fatally injured this afternoon while at the stern ramp of the Ro-Ro vessel M/V EUROCARGO CAGLIARI (see photo below). Initial reports would have us believe that Sr. Cortijo was struck while between two trailers being moved into/out of stowage.

EUROCARGO_CAGLIARI-1

 

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UPDATE [26 November]: Through close friends of the fatally injured worker, we understand that Sr. Cortijo (see also photo below) had worked the morning shift as a yard tractor operator and during the afternoon shift was working as a stevedore. At the time of the accident, he was immediately in front of the ship’s stern ramp assisting with the lowering/raising of trailer landing gear.

While conducting that work, he apparently became located within a blind spot of one of the yard tractor drivers and (while talking to another yard tractor operator) did not notice that the second was getting closer. In finality, the second crushed him against the stationary trailer. In sum, he was caught in the bight.

We grieve over the loss of this 52 year-old dockworker, and feel somewhat helpless that we can only express sadness and regret to his family and friends.

Tony Cortijo

 

Link to Media Account:  Coordinadora estatal de trabajadores del mar – ctmValencia.com

Link to Updated Media Account:  Journal of Ports & Shipping (112615)

 

    2 Comments

  1. Hello, I am the son of the worker that you speaks in this news. I am very indignant that you publish a photo of my father without our permission and the form and the details that you give.

    I hope you delete the photo and change the words used.

    Sincerely,

    Tony Cortijo.

    • Hello Tony,

      Please accept our deepest condolences, in relation to your father’s passing.

      I am from a family of four generations of dockworkers and appreciate, more than most, how dangerous that work can be.

      I regret that you don’t approve of our use of the photo of your father, and similarly regret that you also do not approve of the manner in which the accident that claimed his life is described.

      As to the photograph, my recollection is that it was found within publicly-available social media (Facebook). Nonetheless, if you still wish us to remove the photo from our website we will honor your request.

      The purpose of posting photographs of fellow dockworkers who have lost their lives in the course of work, is to drive home the point that accident victims are more than just a name on a page or a number in a book. By publishing their photograph, we seek to open the eyes of other dockworkers around the world that regularly visit our website… to raise consciousness and culture awareness of the fact that these are real human beings with families and friends that care about them and love them.

      With that awareness, we hope to stop future accidents from happening and from negatively impacting the lives of other sons. Photographs help do that.

      As to the manner in which the accident was described, we received that information from a number of sources but relied; in large part, upon the data sent to us by fellow dockworkers at Valencia. If you have information that contradicts their information, please forward it to us and we will be happy to assess it and, if necessary make any relevant corrections.

      Again, please accept our deepest condolences.

      Ron S.

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