Code Alpha

Thursday 17^th October

I was woken about 6:30am by the shipwide announcement of ‘Code Alpha’ and a room number on B deck. This was repeated a few minutes later. When I got up about 11:30 I spoke to Roy, my room steward, who told me that ‘Code Alpha’ means a serious medical emergency, like a haemorrhage. This time it was a member of the crew, and I gathered it must have been someone Roy knew, which explains why I had heard a voice rather like the Captain’s outside my door at one point telling Roy that they would keep him informed.

At the midday announcement the Captain told us that a member of the crew had died. The crew members were all very solemn during the lunch service. On a ship with so many older, ill people, you don’t expect the young crew members to suffer medical emergencies, and it seems such a tragic loss.

I heard the next day (though I don't know how correct it is) that the crew member had fallen over on Wednesday and hit his head, but had continued to work as he felt okay. This was possibly the cause of his death.

The crew member was 23 years old with a young child. Some of the passengers asked if donations could be given to his family. A box was put at the Purser's desk and a collection was taken during the church service. I believe the total reached more than £5,000.