A boat captain, en route to the Mazaruni with seven passengers, yesterday opted to steer his jet boat in a clump of riverside bushes, averting what could have been possibly another river tragedy in Region Seven.
The mishap occurred around 5 am yesterday, in the vicinity of Tiger Creek on the left bank of the Essequibo River as the boat, loaded with cargo, was making its way from Bartica to destinations in the mid Mazaruni district.
“I don’t know exactly what happened because I put down my head to sleep, but then I hear screaming and when I raise up we already in the bush,” a passenger, who asked not to be named for security purposes, told Stabroek News.
He said no one was hurt except the captain who sustained a sprained toe after his foot got stuck in the bow of the boat. The boat is owned by River Quest Transportation Services.
That company’s manager Shivraj Bharat told Stabroek News that the company was relieved that there were no fatalities or injuries. He said the company has complete faith in its captains and operators who are experienced. He said the captain in yesterday’s mishap is licensed and has over 15 years’ experience.
Bharat confirmed that eight persons were on board and informed that it was because of the morning fog causing poor visibility that caused the boat to hit the mud.
The captain realising the possible instability of the vessel decided to steer the boat into the river bank ending up in the bush.
The captain called to Bartica for assistance and rescuers came and took him and the passengers for medical check ups to ascertain nothing was wrong with them. Most of the passengers will today once again take to the Essequibo River for their delayed journey.
Bharrat would not give the name of the captain but said that the man would today detail the events.
He added that the matter was reported to Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and that the captain gave a report of circumstances leading up to the mishap.
Minister of Transport Robeson Benn, in an invited comment, told Stabroek News that he learnt of the incident yesterday morning and that MARAD was investigating.
The agency was up to press time still investigating and Director of Maritime Safety Stephen Thomas said his investigators would be putting together a report today.
The rapids of the Essequibo River are said, by boat captains and passengers, to be very dangerous and pose a serious threat for even experienced captains.
For the year 14 persons have lost their lives in boat accidents in the Essequibo River.
Only last week, at a sea safety awareness seminar, Benn had expressed his concern about safety measures not being adhered to, which had resulted in the loss of lives on the waterways and at sea due to mishaps and accidents that can be prevented.
