Three marine aids to navigation have been stolen from their places in the Essequibo River and two others vandalised, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) said yesterday, adding that the cost of the aids was approximately $7 million.
Expressing outrage in a release it issued yesterday, MARAD said that in September 2013, two buoys were stolen from their places in the Essequibo River near to Kaow Island to mark the Rattlesnake Rock.
In April this year, the Modder Bush buoy was purloined or otherwise moved from its position in the Essequibo River near Leguan Island, MARAD said. In addition, the lights on two other buoys were stolen. These buoys were moored in the river near to Leguan, Wakenaam and Hog islands, MARAD further said.
The release noted that floating buoys and fixed beacons are strategically positioned in or near the waterways to guide mariners safely. They also mark wrecks and other dangers to navigation.
MARAD has launched an investigation into the disappearance of the navigational aids, but is also soliciting help from members of the public with any information that will lead to their recovery.
