A search is on in the Corentyne River for a Number 67 Village fisherman, who fell overboard yesterday morning.
Jagheshwar Persaud, called ‘Navin’ and ‘Markai,’ 30, of Lot 177 Number 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, is feared dead by his family and fellow fishermen, who said he could not swim.
Stabroek News was told that Persaud fell overboard from a fishing boat while he and others were on their way to retrieve a seine belonging to a fellow fisherman after it was reported floating in the Corentyne River.
Annie Persaud, his sister, said that her family learnt that he fell overboard sometime around 9:30 am, when the men returned from the river. She said they were told that the incident occurred at 8:45 am.
The seamen indicated to the family that Persaud was next to the cabin retrieving a soda to give to the captain when a heavy wave lashed the boat. He lost his balance and fell overboard. The man went under and did not rise, she added. “They said that after he didn’t come up, they drive around in the river but they couldn’t find him,” she said.
According to boat owner Gajadhar Bisnauth, of Number 64 Village, he was told by fishermen that his seine was sabotaged and was floating in the river. Bisnauth said after receiving the news, he along with Persaud and four other men ventured out to retrieve the seine. He said when they reached approximately five miles from shore, Persaud fell overboard.
Bisnauth said they tried to find Persaud but their efforts were in vain. He said that it was only yesterday that he learnt that Persaud could not swim.
So far, police have taken statements from Bisnauth and the other seamen who were present at the time of the incident.
According to Annie Persaud, her brother has been a fisherman for approximately seven years and never expressed any fear about his work.
