GDF Coast Guard intensifies search for missing fishing vessel, crew

– as families remain hopeful for their safe return

It has been an agonising three weeks since the disappearance of the fishing vessel “Aseyah One” along with its crew, leaving families in a state of distress. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has heightened its daily sea patrols and other search efforts through the Coast Guard in a desperate attempt to locate the missing men.
The missing men are Vickram Singh of Longpond, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Worrin Yipsam also called “Powas” of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD); Hazrat Razack called “Denno” of Belle West Canal No 2, WBD, and Cicil Persaud also called “Dallas” of Sisters Village, WBD.
They were reported went missing on November 16, 2023. Nevertheless, the GDF stated that in light of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), its highest priority is the safety of the crew aboard the missing vessel.
Operations have been concentrated within Guyana’s maritime space, spanning from the Demerara River to the Waini River mouth, covering the maritime boundary in the North West region. Vessel operations have also extended to target the shoreline within our territorial waters.
To date, the vessel patrols have covered an extensive area, a little over 9000 square nautical miles.
“Concurrently, the Coast Guard has alerted its Caribbean counterparts through the Regional Security System (RSS) to be vigilant for any possible sightings. In a collaborative effort, vessels operating in the region, including the Transport and Harbour Department MV Barima (North West Ferry), have been placed on high alert to keep a watchful eye for the missing vessel,” the GDF stated on Monday.
The fishing vessel was last seen just before it departed to assist a distressed vessel. Notably, the distressed vessel has since safely returned to port.
It was reported that the men would have received a distress call on November 16 via radio through Exxon from their colleagues who had gone out to sea since November 5. The men subsequently boarded a small boat with a battery and an alternator which were needed to fix the bigger boat.
However, the vessel, “Red Snapper” which had encountered mechanical issues, returned to shore without the four men.

Clinging to hope
In the face of uncertainty, family members of the crew are holding on to hope for the safe return of their loved ones. The passing of eighteen long days has been marked by an anxious wait and bated breath, as they cling to the anticipation of receiving positive news.
Joycelyn Harris, the mother of Vickram Singh, was in tears as she explained that he was the sole breadwinner in the house.
“How many days they search and them find nothing? Right now, me study my son night and day. He is the only one that does give me something. I hope and pray that he alive,” Harris told the media on Sunday.
For Parbattie Fred, both her brother and son – Cecil Persaud and Hazrat Razack are missing. The last she saw her son was when he left with a battery to go out to sea.
“Them tell me them search and them can’t find them. Every day them search. Is me alone and me just want them to come home. I can’t live with this,” the elderly woman decried.
The daughter of Razack, Hazeena Bahadur is holding out hope that her father will return home along with the other fishermen. Up in arms, she called on authorities to step up and provide support.
She expressed, “We’re asking the Government to help right now because we’ve been trying on our own with the Coast Guard and it is not enough. We want them to look into the matter more seriously if they could get assistance from the other countries close by or if they could assist with a vessel that we could get our people to go out again.”

Search party
Meanwhile, Dhanraj Persaud is also among those awaiting word since his father is among the missing men. He accompanied the Coast Guard’s search party several times, where both sea and air resources have been utilised.
“We ain’t see nothing. We don’t know if them guys drifting in the sea but we’re asking Caribbean countries if they could help we look for them because four lives are out there, my father, my cousin, the captain and a sailor. It’s four lives we’re looking at,” Persaud voiced.
He recalled that on the day the men went out to sea, they were contacted at about 20:00h and communicated that everything was ‘okay’.
They were expected to return the following Saturday but this was not the case. The families remain hopeful that the men are still alive. (Rupa Seenaraine)