Boat carrying 11 persons capsizes in Essequibo River

Eleven persons were en route to Fort Island on Monday, when the boat in which they were travelling capsized in the Essequibo River.
Guyana Times was informed that all of the passengers and the boat captain – accounting for the 11 persons – made it safely to shore after the traumatic incident unfolded.
Based on reports, the boat was chartered from Leguan to transport the persons to Fort Island for an outing. It picked up a few persons from the Parika Ferry Stelling, East Bank Essequibo, before embarking on the journey.
A few minutes into the ride, the boat captain reportedly attempted to clear a wave and misfortune struck when the small vessel capsized. Everyone on board survived after assistance was deployed but were traumatised from the unfortunate event.
This publication understands that the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is aware of the incident.
This is the latest of boat mishap incidents to be reported in recent time. On Friday, a vessel capsized and sank in the Canje River. At the time of the incident, the vessel was reportedly tied to a punt.
The body of 29-year-old Richard John of Mimi Dam Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, who went missing when the boat submerged, was on Sunday pulled from the river. The search is still on for Shellon Williamson, a 27-year-old mother of three who was in the vessel.
The captain and his two brothers were able to swim to safety and after realising that Williamson was left behind, the now dead man returned to the boat but was not seen until his lifeless body was discovered floating some 34 hours later.
Meanwhile, an unidentified miner has been feared dead following a boat mishap at Gatie Falls, Semang Creek, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), on Saturday. He was one of six men who departed Long Island, Middle Mazaruni River, and travelled to Semang Creek.
Upon arriving at the location, they stopped at Semang Landing and later continued their journey.
Police stated that sometime after leaving the landing, the captain experienced a problem with his leg and as such, one of the occupants took control of the vessel. It was reported that whilst navigating the boat in the vicinity of Gatie Falls, the boat’s engine collided with a rock. As a result, the occupants were thrown overboard. Five of the men managed to swim to shore but the sixth did not surface. (G12)