Nine sailors suffering from ciguatera, a potentially fatal fish poisoning, were taken off a moving supply ship Monday evening in a multi-agency rescue effort.
The sailors were too ill to drop anchor, causing rescuers to have to board the ship, which was moving at about 10 knots toward St. Thomas. Of a crew of 10, nine had succumbed to the effects of the poison, according to WVWI.
Rescuers, including Don Jeffrey, senior pilot ship captain for the West Indian Company, and Richard Dowling, a local pharmacist, boarded the vessel, the "Mint Quick," and immediately began administering care to the dehydrated crew members.
Several were in critical condition.
The sailors were transferred to the tugboat "Lady Salvor" and taken to the WICO dock, where three ambulances were waiting.
All nine were admitted to the Roy L. Schneider Hospital for further treatment.
The 10th man remained on board the ship, which is now anchored outside Charlotte Amalie Harbor.
The vessel, which is registered in Antigua, was carrying a shipment of lumber from Mobile, Ala. It left St. Thomas at 2:30 p.m. Monday, headed for St. Maarten. All crew members are from the Philippines.