Masked pirates struck several miles from the mouth of the Pomeroon River in a brazen afternoon attack on Tuesday leaving those operating three fishing vessels counting their losses, but thankful to have escaped uninjured.
The five-man gang armed with a single handgun carried out the attacks within a two-hour period, escaping with gasoline, an engine and groceries. In one case, clearly upset that they had to leave empty- handed, the men threw the boat engine overboard.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud yesterday told this newspaper that no one has yet been held in connection with the incidents, but police are conducting investigations.
According to the reports reaching this newspaper, around 4 pm on Tuesday Latchman Narine and a crew of three were aboard their fishing boat some three miles from the river mouth, when the masked pirates attacked them.
Brandishing a gun, the robbers relieved the captain and crew of their engine, a quantity of groceries and gasoline.
The men were left drifting but were later rescued by a passing vessel.
The matter was reported to the police the following day.
About an hour later, the pirates struck again some distance away. They confronted Hardial Sukhraj and a crew member aboard their vessel and after conducting a search and making demands, threw the boat engine overboard.
The engine was subsequently recovered and a report was made to the police.
Then around 5.30 pm on Tuesday, the same group of men attacked a fishing vessel captained by Joseph Mantoos, again not far from the mouth of the Pomeroon River.
There was one crew member with Mantoos at the time.
Before escaping, the men collected five gallons of gasoline and a cellular phone. They then damaged the boat engine.
All three of the boat captains reside in the Essequibo area, this newspaper was told.
This piracy attack comes on the heels of another that occurred on Monday night in the Corentyne River during which fishermen were robbed of Yamaha outboard engines, gasoline and other items.
Fours boats were involved and the attacks were carried out by pirates armed with a handgun and a piece of wood.
A man believed to be involved in those attacks was arrested by the police.
Piracy, particularly in the Pomeroon and Berbice areas, has long been a plague on fishers and an area of concern for the authorities.
However, it is the fishermen who operate in the Berbice area that have suffered more as a result of the high seas attacks.
