Rio Tinto confirms missing crew member from bulk carrier

Rio Tinto (RIO) confirmed that Gel Aguaviva, a deck fitter on board its bulk carrier RTM Zheng He, was reported missing on December 26, while the vessel was traveling from China to Western Australia. “An extensive and ongoing search and rescue operation to find Mr Aguaviva has been conducted over the past seven days, with Rio Tinto working in collaboration with RTM Zheng He ship and crew manager, Anglo Eastern, and relevant authorities. The Philippine Coast Guard is leading the search and rescue operation,” the company said in a statement. RTM Zheng He was in international waters near the Philippines when Aguaviva was reported missing. Rio Tinto said it “co-operating fully with relevant authorities and the ship’s manager on investigations into the incident, as well as conducting its own investigations.”