Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Defence has announced that one of the six crew members rescued from the fishing vessel St Vincent VII has died, days after the crew was found following nearly a week missing at sea.

The crew had been missing since July 14 before they were rescued by the merchant vessel MV Marvel Kite on July 21.

The ministry identified the deceased as 66-year-old Trinidadian captain Anthony Murray.

According to the ministry, Murray began experiencing shallow breathing in the hours after the rescue.

Although he initially appeared stable and showed no signs of pain or discomfort, the crew of the MV Marvel Kite later reported that he appeared lifeless while the vessel was en route to St Lucia to rendezvous with a Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard vessel.

Following his death, the vessel was diverted to St Vincent, where Murray’s body was taken ashore for the formal declaration of death.

The remaining rescued crew members were also taken ashore for medical examinations before being transported back to Trinidad and Tobago by the Air Guard.

The ministry said it delayed announcing Murray’s death until his immediate family had been notified.

It also expressed condolences to his family and thanked the crew of the MV Marvel Kite and everyone involved in the search and rescue operation.