Alness fishing boat destroyed by fire of unknown origin

A family of Alness Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), is now counting millions in losses after their fishing boat, their main source of income, was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning.
The vessel, owned by fisherfolk Sherlyn and Danny Bhagwandin, of 61, Alness Village, was moored along the foreshore when it went up in flames under mysterious circumstances.

Bhagwandin said he was at home when her husband received word that his boat was burning.
“I got a message that my boat was gone,” her husband, Danny Bhagwandin, recalled.
“When I came here, half of the boat was already burnt – the engine, the gas drum, everything. The back of the boat was gone bad. The whole thing mash up, can’t repair again.”
The family is still in shock after their fishing boat, valued at about $8 million, was completely destroyed.
The fisherman who operates the vessel explained that the boat was fully equipped and ready to return to sea after recently completing a trip. It was outfitted with a 60-horsepower Yamaha engine, a 2000-pound seine, gas drums, and other gear.
“The engine alone cost about $1.3 million. The seine and all the setup cost over $2 million, plus the boat itself, that is another $2 million or more. Everything gone, nothing we could save,” Bhagwandin lamented.
His wife, Sherlyn Bhagwandin, said the fire has left the family devastated, especially since fishing is their only source of livelihood.
“Yesterday [Wednesday] morning, a man who owns a boat nearby came and called my husband. He went out to talk and then came back and told me what happened. When I reached, I saw the burnt boat, and we went straight to the Whim Police Station to make a report,” she said.
She added that her husband has been fishing for most of his life and has never had any issues with other seamen. The couple purchased their own vessel six years ago and have operated peacefully since then.
“It’s affecting me because this is what my husband does, and it’s all we depend on. I have three children, and this is how we survive. I am asking if anyone knows who did it. Please come forward with information so we can get justice,” Mrs Bhagwandin appealed.
The total losses are estimated at more than $8 million. The family said they are still in disbelief that someone would deliberately destroy their livelihood.
Police in “B” Division are investigating the incident.