The Guyana Police Force is investigating the alleged drowning of a seaman attached to Pritipaul Investment, who fell overboard last week while out at sea.
The fisherman has been identified as 33-year-old Navishwar Karamdatt, called “Sharma”, of Great Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The incident occurred at about 10:18h on Wednesday.
A co-worker looking helplessly as Navishwar Karamdatt fell in the water
At the time of the incident, Karamdatt was onboard fishing vessel MV Snook 1, which was captained by 24-year-old Chrishnadat Sukhdeo called, “Panter”, of 17th Avenue, Great Diamond. Also part of the crew were three other seamen, namely Jonathan DeFreitas, 23, of Lot 1517 Section B Block ‘X’, Great Diamond; Vidprikash Sukhdeo, 17, of Lot 1123 17th Avenue, Great Diamond; and Pritviraj Seewnarine, 34, of Lot 1113 16th Avenue, Section ‘C’, Block ‘X’, Great Diamond.
Sukhdeo told investigations that he along with his four-member crew departed Pritipaul wharf on December 3, 2018, for a three-week fishing trip.
He further related that on the day in question, he was piloting the vessel when he heard shouts of “man overboard, man overboard”. He said when he focused, he saw “Sharma” overboard somewhere off in the distance.
The captain claimed he immediately turned the vessel around, but he was unable to get to Karamdatt in time. He said despite efforts by other members of the crew to rescue him, “Sharma” went under the water and did not resurface.
According to Police reports, Sukhdeo said they were approximately 100 miles out at sea. The captain further stated that after making a call to his boss, he returned with the vessel to the wharf.
On Friday, Chief Executive Officer of Pritipaul Investment reported to the Police that one of the crewmen out at sea had gone missing. As such, when the vessel returned to the Houston, Greater Georgetown wharf on Saturday at about 05:50h, the captain and the three other surviving seamen were taken into custody for further investigations.
According to Police reports, the other crew members, which includes the brother-in-law of the deceased, all gave similar accounts as Sukhdeo, as to what transpired.
Meanwhile, the vessel, MV Snook 1, which is still docked at Pritpaul wharf was examined and processed by investigators and several CCTV surveillance cameras were observed mounted on the said vessel. The footage has been retrieved and is being reviewed by the Police.
A copy of the footage was released and it was observed that Karamdatt was on the deck with another seaman trying to throw a metal trap into the water to make their catch. However, before he could have let the cage into the water, the roughness of the tide caused the vessel to tilt to the side, resulting in the cage rolling backwards on Karamdatt, sending him sliding across the deck, through the rails and into the water.
Upon realising that Karamdatt was missing, the colleague went to look in the water from the other side of the deck and was almost thrown overboard himself. Luckily, he was able to use his feet to brace himself against the rails of the vessel. After steadying himself, the man was seen running to get help.
The one minute, 14 second video showed Karamdatt in the water as the vessel drifted away.
As the investigations continue, the captain and crew members remain in custody pending further investigations.
