Dear Editor,
In wake of the recent near-miss on the Essequibo River, I feel compelled to speak out about another near-miss on the Essequibo River that could have been very much worse. This one occurred on December 12, 2016 several miles from Bartica.
A boatload of us was returning from a day trip to the Essequibo Islands, a package that was offered by a local tour guide from Georgetown. We left the last location (Kyk-Over-Al) after 16:30h and were on our way back to Parika when, just about 15 minutes into the trip, the boat started to tilt on the rear, as it was taking in water.
The passengers became so afraid that terrified is the word to describe it. There we were in open seas, it was practically getting dark, river traffic was coming to a halt for the day, and the boat (a fibre glass boat) was taking in water rapidly and was beginning to show signs that it would sink, as it was leaning backwards. 
I saw death before me as the water started to fill the boat from the back. It was in a very peculiar position now in the water, as we had slowed down. Panicking passengers seated in the rear started to use receptacles to bail water from the boat, as the pump that was also supposed to help pump the excess water out the flooding boat was not working properly. It was of little help.
Finally, a passing Parika-bound speedboat pulled up alongside us, but a lady and her baby were the only ones they could have carried across. They eventually made off to Parika with the hope they would get help for us.
The boat was nearly filled with water in the back when we found a landing and got out. Some people there were very kind to us as we waited for the trip planner to leave with their (the people’s) boat to go get help a few landings away. It was pitch dark now as we waited, and waited and waited. I was supposed to have been on my way home to Berbice by then. The planner was not returning with help.
Phone signal was poor to non-existent. The people whose landing we pulled up on were serving coffee and drinks, but all I could think about was getting out of there and safely back to land.
Finally, more than an hour and a half later, help came and we were ferried to Parika, we arrived after 21:00hrs in moonlight.
It was a near-death experience I would never like to relive, and I have not spoken out until now; but I no longer can hold my peace, since something needs to be done to improve the standards of this operation along this river. The company refunded some cash to many passengers after this horrible incident. One of these days, some group might not be so lucky. The Government must intervene to ensure safety of passengers who travel along this river on a daily basis.
Patrols need to be done. Help points should be established along this lonely stretch of river from Parika to Bartica.
That could have been a disaster in which more than 15 persons would have died. I am thankful I came out alive. How many more stores like these happen on these rivers but are never heard of or told?
Sincerely,
Leon Suseran
