The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) reports the deaths of two crew members in separate incidents aboard a Panamanian-flagged coastal navigation vessel and a UK-registered international merchant vessel.
Both cases were handled October 17, 2025, by the technical staff of the Maritime Accident Investigation Department, attached to the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine (DGMM), who worked in coordination with the Public Prosecutor's Office of Panama to determine the circumstances of the events and comply with applicable international protocols.
Incident on a Panamanian coastal navigation vessel:
Panamanian sailor Abdiel Delgado, 68, a first-class fishing skipper, died on the morning of October 17 aboard the fishing vessel "Monserrat," while the vessel was sailing off Chame Bay.
The ship later arrived at the Vacamonte International Port, where the Public Ministry recovered the body. Preliminary reports indicate the death was due to natural causes (presumed cardiac arrest).
Incident on international merchant vessel:
Second Class Engineer Yashvendra Nath Sharma, an Indian national, died on October 7, 2025, while serving aboard the British-registered oil tanker “BW TUCANA,” en route to Panama and navigating in international waters.
Upon arrival at the Port of Balboa on Friday evening, October 17, the appropriate authorities proceeded with the corresponding procedures. It is also preliminarily presumed that the death was due to heart failure.
Once the necessary investigations are completed, the Indian Embassy in Panama will coordinate with the shipping company the repatriation of Officer Sharma's body to his home country.
Commitment to seafarers:
The AMP deeply regrets both deaths and expresses its sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the crew members. The institution reiterates its commitment to the safety, well-being, and dignity of seafarers, and to transparency in the investigation of both incidents aboard vessels under Panamanian jurisdiction or transit, in accordance with current international conventions.
