A Filipino crewman of a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) was hospitalised this weekend after apparently suffering a stroke.

The 51-year-old crewman of the 1,100 foot long supertanker Carina Star was transferred to the Marine and Ports pilot boat St. George at 1.30 a.m. on Saturday.

The man was taken to Ordnance Island, transferred to an ambulance and taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The M/T Carina Star continued on her voyage from Sidi Kerir, Egypt to Sabine Pass, Texas.

When contacted last night, a Bermuda Radio duty officer said that the pilot boat crew reported the Carina Star was "one of the biggest ships they had ever been alongside".

The transfer took place under Bermuda Radio's coordination at the Deep Draught Position, a point some three miles due east of the St. David's Lighthouse. Large ships are directed to that point for ease of manoeuvrability.