Shipping: Filipino seamen may have had malaria

Two crew onboard a passing tanker were rushed into Bermuda at the weekend with suspected malaria.

The boatswain and an ordinary seaman fell ill on the Alpine Legend’s voyage between Cape Verde and Charleston. The ship diverted into Five Fathom Hole off Bermuda on Sunday afternoon.

The two Filipino men were brought ashore on board the pilot boat at around 4pm and taken to hospital via ambulance while the tanker continued on to its destination.

One of the men was discharged yesterday, while the second is still at King Edward VII Hospital receiving treatment for the illness, which is not contagious.

Today, the Canadian naval vessel, HMCS Montreal, is due to arrive in Hamilton.

The Halifax-class frigate, which has served in the Canadian forces since 1993, will be alongside in the capital until Sunday while the crew enjoys a few days of ‘rest and relaxation’.

Cruise ships

Also arriving in Bermuda today are the usual duo of the Celebrity Summit and the Norwegian Breakaway.

They will berth in Dockyard this morning and leave on Friday afternoon.

It’s an even busier weekend in the West End with two ships arriving on Saturday and Sunday.

The Explorer of the Seas and Carnival Splendor are expected in on Saturday morning and will be followed by Norwegian Dawn and the Grandeur of the Seas on Sunday.

All three container ships are in this weekend; the Somers Isles arrives today and will shift down the Hamilton dock when the Bermuda Islander arrives tomorrow morning.

The Oleander makes up the week’s schedule, coming into Hamilton on Sunday afternoon.