A CAPTAIN killed himself onboard a ship one week into a journey from New York City to Tilbury, an inquest heard.

Zenon Trojanowski, 59, from Poland, was made captain of the Santa Bettina on Saturday, May 6 this year.

He was discovered dead by a crew member seven days into the container ship’s journey. It was halfway between America and the UK at the time.

Coroner’s officer, Jemma Cook, told Chelmsford Coroner’s Court: “He was placed in the provision store along with the ligature. No note was found at the scene.

“The ship docked at the Port of Tilbury on Sunday, May 21 and Mr Trojanowski’s death was confirmed by a doctor at 7.34pm.

“The Port of Tilbury police determined there was no suspicious circumstances.”

A post-mortem examination was carried out at Basildon Hospital and toxicology was taken.

Senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: “It would appear that his family in Poland knew he suffered from depression.

“I have come to the very sad conclusion that Mr Trojanowski took his own life.

“I have to be very sure, which I am. I am going to record a conclusion that Mr Trojanowski killed himself.”

In the aftermath of the incident, the crew on board Santa Bettina were left distraught and traumatised. They were offered support by seafaring charity Apostleship of the Sea.

Port chaplain, Fr Colum Kelly, went on board the ship when it docked in Tilbury to say mass.

He said: “I spent time listening to the crew and of the stress that they had been feeling during the voyage.

“It was the first time the crew had sailed with that captain so they knew very little about him.

“His body was laid in his sealed cabin for the remainder of the voyage.

“Particularly distressed was the young seafarer who had discovered the body. It was the first time he had seen a corpse.”

The crew requested mass to be said and for specific areas of the ship to be blessed - including some cabins and the spot where the body was found.

Fr Kelly added: “We did what we were able to do for the crew - talking to them and trying to bring some consolation.

“It was a terrible time for the seafarers, but at the end of the day there was a sense of joy in the midst of the grief, stress and bewilderment.”