Sunken molasses vessel: “Natasha, the water reach to my foot already” – Mother recalls last conversation with son

The body that was discovered near a buoy in the Demerara River has been identified as 22-year-old Ravindra Bissoondyal of Goed Bananen Land (East Berbice–Corentyne), one of two crew members reported missing after the molasses barge TRADER III sank earlier this week while being towed to Georgetown.

Bissoondyal’s body was found on Wednesday, bringing a tragic end to days of uncertainty for his family, who had been desperately hoping for his safe return.
Still missing is 52-year-old Gregory Singh.
His mother, Mohani Persaud, also known as Natasha, recalled that the last time she saw her son was on Saturday when he stopped by their home to collect his life jacket before leaving for work.
“He left home on Saturday. He came here to collect his life jacket. That’s the last time I see him,” the grieving mother said during an interview.
According to Persaud, the young man later contacted her after the vessel had begun taking in water. During the frantic call, he told her the barge was sinking and that attempts to reach the crew on the tug were going unanswered.
“He said ‘The barge is sinking. Them boys on the tug and nobody answering’. Nobody answering. He’s calling,” she recounted.
Persaud said the conversation left her deeply worried as her son tried to hold on while the vessel was going down.
“The last conversation we had, he said, ‘Natasha, the water reach to my foot already. I’ve got to go and hold on to this tow line,’” she said.
Family members continued trying to reach him after the call ended, but their efforts proved futile.
Later, they received word that a body had been found floating in the Demerara River and that relatives were required to visit the Marine Outpost to assist with identification.
Persaud said when the body was brought in, she immediately recognised her son.
“When the body came, the way it look in the water… the features of him, I didn’t need to look at his face. I know it’s my son,” she said.
The distraught mother is now calling for answers into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
“I would just like to get a little bit of justice for my son. I just wanted to know what happened,” she added.
Bissoondyal had reportedly worked in the maritime field for several years. His mother said he initially started as a cook on vessels before eventually working his way up to become an engineer.
The 22-year-old was among the crew members aboard the molasses barge TRADER III, which reportedly sank while being transported along the coast to Georgetown.
Meanwhile, search efforts are continuing for the second crew member who remains missing following the incident. Authorities have not yet released further details as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the vessel.