Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Balsa-85

In an alarming turn of events, four crew members from the Panama-registered vessel Balsa 85 remain hospitalized in Saint John due to food poisoning. This incident has drawn attention after 10 out of 14 crew members initially affected were discharged from local medical facilities. According to Bruce MacFarlane, a spokesperson for New Brunswick’s Health Department, the four hospitalized individuals were admitted on Saturday and are currently under close observation at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Dr. Cristin Muecke, a medical officer of health, confirmed that the crew is in serious but stable condition after consuming toxic fish caught in international waters. While the situation remains concerning, she reassured the public that there is no immediate health risk to the community. The Balsa 85 sails with a crew of 19 from the Philippines, highlighting the global nature of maritime operations and the unique challenges they can face.

In a concerning health incident, fourteen crew members from a Panamanian vessel found themselves hospitalized in Saint John due to food poisoning. The crew members fell ill while the ship was docked at the PotashCorp terminal on Saturday, prompting an urgent medical response. Although the vessel was loaded and ready to depart, its departure has been put on hold. Of those affected, three crew members are currently in critical condition in the intensive care unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital, while the remaining eleven are reported to be in serious but stable condition. Health officials believe the food poisoning stems from ciguatera fish poisoning, a condition resulting from the consumption of tropical fish contaminated with toxins produced by certain algae. Dr. Cristin Muecke, New Brunswick's medical officer of health, assured the public that there is no risk to Canadian residents, noting that five crew members who abstained from eating the fish remain healthy. “The risk is confined to individuals aboard the ship, as the fish was sourced from international waters prior to their entry into port,” stated Dr. Muecke. Symptoms of ciguatera fish poisoning can range from gastrointestinal issues, like nausea and diarrhea, to more severe neurological and cardiac effects. Although ciguatera is seldom fatal, the severity of the symptoms varies based on the amount of contaminated fish consumed. For further updates, visit http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/food-poisoning-sickens-ship-s-crew-in-saint-john-1.2323358.

A serious incident occurred on April 12, 2023, involving 14 crewmembers from the general cargo ship Balsa 85, currently docked at the Saint John port in New Brunswick, Canada. These crew members were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning, with three of them reported to be in critical condition and the remaining eleven in serious yet stable states. Preliminary investigations suggest that the poisonings may have resulted from ciguatera fish poisoning, a dangerous condition caused by consuming tropical fish that have ingested toxins from certain algae. The Balsa 85 had a crew of 19, meaning only five crew members, who reportedly did not consume the affected fish, remain on board. It is believed that the majority of the crew members are of Filipino nationality, highlighting the vessel's international workforce. This unfortunate event sheds light on the potential risks associated with marine dining practices and food safety standards at sea.