Twenty-eight-year-old Suraj Daneshwar, A fisherman and father of one, is now missing after the vessel he was on board capsized in the Atlantic Ocean off the West Coast of Berbice.
This resident of Rosignol, West Coast Berbice in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has been working in the fishing industry for the past five years. According to the Police, Daneshwar and boat captain Oneil Deputron left 3-door koker at Rosignol at about 05:00h on Tuesday for sea in a 36-foot wooden boat equipped with a 40hp engine.
Missing: Suraj Daneshwar
However, at about 08:20h on Wednesday, Deputron went to the Blairmont Police Station to report that, at about 21:00h on Tuesday, while returning from sea – in the vicinity of Bath Settlement W.C.B, about four miles offshore – a large wave hit the boat and it capsized, resulting in both him and the now missing man falling into the water.
Deputron related that, about 10 to 15 seconds after, he managed to resurface, and he held on to the boat. Upon looking for Daneshwar, he said, he did not see him. Deputron said the boat began to drift in the ocean with him, until he was rescued by another fishing boat that was heading to shore in West Berbice.
The men were initially expected to return to shore on Thursday morning, but they had success, resulting in them leaving the fishing ground one day ahead of schedule.
The boat in which the men left to go at sea
The vessel has since been recovered and brought to shore, but there has been no sign of the missing fisherman Suraj Daneshwar. The ice box was also found floating in the Ocean.
The missing man’s 26-year-old sister Omawattie Daneshwar told this publication that, on Wednesday, Deputron and the secretary of the Fishing Complex at D’Edward went to their home.
“As soon as I see him I know that something wrong, and I start to holla,” she said.
Daneshwar’s mother, Chandrawattie Persaud, has said she believes that her son is alive.
The missing fisherman’s sister Owamattie Daneshwar (left) and mother Chandrawattie Persaud at the foreshore on Wednesday afternoon awaiting the return of the search party
Search parties went out into the ocean on Thursday morning and afternoon as part of a rescue team, but were only successful in locating the boat and the icebox.
Deputron is presently receiving treatment at the Fort Wellington Public Hospital as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, local authorities are still searching for three fishermen who went missing after the vessel they were working on capsized in the Atlantic Ocean on March 9. (G4)
