Search Continues for Missing Crew Member from Rio Tinto Ship Near Philippines

Gel Aguaviva, a Filipino deck fitter, disappeared on December 26 while aboard the RTM Zheng He en route to Western Australia.

Gel Aguaviva, a crew member of the Rio Tinto bulk carrier RTM Zheng He, went missing on December 26 in international waters near the Philippines.
The Philippine Coast Guard has been leading a week-long search operation, including aerial surveys, but Aguaviva has not yet been found.
Aguaviva was last seen on the ship’s port side main deck wearing a dark blue reflectorized suit, 111 nautical miles northwest of Zamboanga port.
Rio Tinto is cooperating with authorities and the ship’s crew manager, Anglo Eastern, while also conducting its own internal investigation.
The RTM Zheng He was traveling from China to the Port of Dampier in Western Australia, one of the world’s busiest iron ore export hubs.