The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is investigating a Sunday night boat collision which saw Captain Dale Duggin, 28, of Muritaro Village and Williamson Felix perish as a result of injuries sustained during a two-boat collision.
One person is still missing and the Region 10 community has organised a search party that has been checking the shores and the river since Sunday night. Region 10 Chairman Sharma Soloman said community members were assisting the police in every way that they could. Up to press time authorities were still trying to determine which boat the missing person was on.
The two boats were travelling along the Upper Demerara River when they collided near the Muritaro area. Captain Telford Lim, 33, of Malali, Upper Demerara River, and two passengers Michael Edwards of Endeavour, Lower Demerara River, and Travis Gilkes of Malali were rescued.
According to a police statement the accident occurred around 9 pm. The police have also stated that Lim is in custody and is assisting with the investigation. MARAD’s safety director Stephen Thomas told Stabroek News that a team will be dispatched today to further investigate what happened.
He did say that passengers and the captains were believed to be wearing life jackets when the collision occurred, however the low visibility at night may have been an issue.
