Body of missing crew member onboard sunken molasses barge recovered

– Search on for 2nd crew member

The lifeless body of one of the two men who went missing after a molasses tanker sank in the Atlantic Ocean has been recovered late Wednesday afternoon.
The body of 22-year-old Ravindra Bissoondyal, also known as “Videsh”, of Goed Bananen Land, Canje, Berbice, was reportedly found near a sea buoy off the Demerara River following an operation with family and members of the joint services.
When contacted on Wednesday, Minister of Public Utilities Deodat Indar told the Guyana Times that a body was recovered near the sea buoy, but authorities are still working to determine the person’s identity.
However, the body was subsequently confirmed to be that of Bissoondyal by family and friends who took to social media. Another crew member, 52-year-old Gregory Singh, called “Greg”, remains missing.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) stated that the vessel sank approximately 9.5 nautical miles off Buxton, East Coast Demerara, on Monday.
MARAD had stated that it received a distress signal about the incident shortly afterward. In its statement, the agency explained that it was alerted to the emergency and immediately launched a response.
“Immediately upon receipt of the distress communication, emergency response operations were activated for the missing persons,” MARAD stated.
The agency noted that the vessel had been transporting molasses at the time of the incident. “At the time of the incident, the barge was engaged in the transport of a cargo of molasses from Berbice to Georgetown,” the statement said.
Search operations were reportedly launched soon after the distress call. Meanwhile, as the search continues for the second person, Emergency Operations Coordinator Capt John Flores is leading the efforts with the support of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the vessel owner.