MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Russian vessel will rescue Chilean fisherman.

The Chilean crewmember isolated in a cabin bed of the fishing vessel “Globalpesca 1” with severe lumbar pains that prevent him from working will be evacuated by a Russian fishing vessel heading for Punta Arenas, according to the latest reports from the local press.

"Globalpesca" is operating somewhere in the South Atlantic in the "Falklands area" and apparently refused to bring crewmember Cristian Valdes Biot back to port because it was "too costly". However an appeal in a Punta Arenas court convinced ship agents Inchcape to arrange for the transhipment of Mr. Valdes Biot who has been immobilized since June 4. The situation of Mr. Valdes Biot came to light when his pregnant wife went to collect his two weeks pay in Inchcape and was informed her husband no longer was working since he had "voluntarily resigned".

The high seas' transhipment is scheduled to take place over the weekend involving the Russian flagged "Strela" which apparently is heading for Punta Arenas for a change of flag.

Punta Arenas Maritime Governor Chilean Navy Captain Ivan Valenzuela confirmed "Globalpesca" had requested authorization for the high seas evacuation "and once this is accomplished Mr. Valdes Biot should be back in Punta Arenas in three days at the most".

Captain Valenzuela also revealed that "Globalpesca 1" skipper Cristian Aros Cárcamo had addressed him a letter describing what was happening on board.

Allegedly on the morning of June 4, Mr. Valdes Biot went to the bridge saying he was suffering from terrible pain in the back and requesting he be put ashore.

Following his "voluntary resignation" Mr. Valdes Biot remained on board as a "passenger" and therefore was not entitled to a salary according to Captain Aros Carcamo