Filipino seafarer in UK rescued after a shipboard stroke

Shipmates visited Antonio Maceda in the hospital where he was treated for a stroke. INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC NEWS PHOTO

DALY CITY, California – A Filipino seafarer had to be airlifted to hospital after falling ill on board his ship late evening on November 6, off the Hartlepool Coast in the United Kingdom.

Humber Coast Guard alerted The Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) of an emergency on board the tanker Wilhelmine Essberger.

Filipino crewmember, Antonio Maceda, was thought to have had a stroke. A helicopter was dispatched to rush him to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, reported the Independent Catholic News https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25983 .

“There was great concern about his condition as he was unable to talk and he was having trouble using the right side of his body,” AoS port chaplain for Tees & Hartlepool Deacon Peter Barrigan told ICN.

“I visited him the next morning and spoke to the medical staff who were monitoring his condition. They had given Antonio prompt treatment and were hopeful his condition was improving as he was able to talk. I got his home telephone number from him and was able to ring his wife in the Philippines. Antonio spoke to her to explain what had happened,” he added.

On Saturday, Peter took three of Antonio’s crewmates from the ship visited him in hospital.

Barrigan said, “They were delighted to see his progress and could not believe how well he was considering how poorly he had been when he was airlifted off the ship. They spent an hour with him and were able to help the medical staff with more details of Antonio’s condition on board.”

Maceda was discharged the following day, and with the help of shipping agency Casper Shipping, was able to return home yesterday morning.

“Antonio was grateful for all that had been done for him by all parties involved and said he thanked God that he was able to return home so quickly,” said Peter.