U.S. Merchant Mariner Killed in Ship Accident Before Baby Born
He leaves behind his beloved Caroline, who is currently 7 months pregnant with their first child, a son.
Harlan & Caroline from Adam Danger Smith on Vimeo.
Harlan Crouch, 44, lost his life July 3rd onboard a Liberty Maritime vessel during cargo operations in the Persian Gulf. He was a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. graduate (Class of 1996) and was working on a cargo ship as a mate at the time of his death.
On December 14, 2012, Harlan wed Caroline Hinkle and they lived in Safety Harbor, Florida and Panama. After graduation, he sailed for a few years before starting his own business Cocobolo Inc.--importing and selling exotic tropical hardwoods. Harlan was a true master craftsman, having won several blue ribbons at the state fair for his incredible turned bowls and vases made of Panamanian hardwoods.
Harlan resumed his career as a Merchant Marine Officer, but was unfortunately killed in a tragic accident onboard ship while in the Middle East. He leaves behind his wife Caroline, who is expecting their baby boy, Harlan P. Crouch III.
To help Caroline and the unborn baby boy, you can donate here.
THE FINAL WATCH:
No man has ever served at sea without knowing that each day could be his last and no one would even know where at sea he lay. No man served a day at sea without the knowledge that the ship he sailed might not survive to sail another day. But no man at sea let these fears overcome him. He knew his shipmates were beside him to help stand the watch, to plot the course, and to be the family and support we all need to meet and survive another day. They were his shipmates. As each day ended, men at sea counted their blessings of a day well done, and to mark the end of their watch, they would toll the bell, the eternal mark of the passing of time at sea.
We honor our Shipmate Harlan Crouch as we toll the bell to mark the end of his final watch.
Well done, Harlan, well done. It was a great voyage, and you served your watch. We are proud to have served with you as part of the United States Merchant Marine.
You have completed your final watch, now rest in peace.
Fraternally,
Ryan Sweeney, Chief Mate, Maersk Denver