POLICE are investigating the death of a Filipino seaman found hanged on board a ship which later docked at Sheerness.

The body of Paulino Rivera Bonquin, 42, who was married and lived in the Philippines, was discovered while the MV Chiquita Nederland was crossing the Bay of Biscay on the morning of Friday, August 27.

Mr Bonquin’s body was brought ashore on Sunday at Sheerness, the ship’s next port of call, and has since been repatriated to the Philippines.

The coroner’s officer said a post mortem examination found that the cause of death was suspension. There were no suspicious circumstances.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned until police inquiries are concluded.

The ship, which carries chilled fruit, is owned by Great White Fleet Ltd, a company based in Antwerp which is part of the parent company, Chiquita Brands International.

Dennis Christou, vice-president of Chiquita Europe, said Mr Bonquin, who was employed by a crewing company to work on the MV Chiquita Nederland, had left a suicide note.

Chiquita UK has just opened a fruit ripening and distribution centre at Sheerness docks.