Cargo boat sinks in Waini River

A cargo boat en route to Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) sank in the mouth of the Waini River on Sunday morning. The incident occurred about 05:00h.
F Division (Interior Locations) Commander Kevin Adonis, as well as other regional officials, confirmed that the incident occurred, but was unable to provide further details.
However, sources told Guyana Times that the vessel, MV Shivita 2, was transporting cargo from Georgetown for a businesswoman. Efforts to contact the businesswoman were futile.
Based on information received, the boat left a Georgetown wharf to transport cargo first to Mabaruma and then Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini). However, about half an hour before arriving at Mabaruma, the vessel capsized after a strong gush of wind pushed it off course onto a mudflat.
This incident occurred as the vessel was entering the Waini River channel. At the time, there were four crewmembers on board, including the captain, all of whom survived the mishap.
According to Police sources, as the boat drifted, the crew sent out an alert on the radio set and the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard responded to the distress call, rescuing the men as the boat sank.
By this time, boat operators from nearby communities, who also picked up the distress call, arrived on scene to lend assistance. However, at that time, nothing could have been done to save the vessel or the cargo.