The four-member crew of a fishing boat that was anchored off the Pomeroon River on Saturday narrowly escaped death when an unidentified vessel collided with it, sinking it.
The crew used lifesaving equipment and stayed afloat in the Atlantic until they were rescued by another vessel several hours later.
Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in a statement yesterday said that it received a report that on October 18th at around 2.30 am, an unidentified vessel, which was heading in the general direction of Georgetown collided with the ‘Lady Pinky” off the coast of Guyana in the Pomeroon area.
According to the release, the men were rescued on Saturday evening as they floated in the river by another vessel that subsequently brought them to Georgetown on Monday.
Officers from MARAD are trying to locate the unidentified vessel as an investigation has been launched.
Minister of Transport Robeson Benn told Stabroek News that the possibility that the vessel which hit the boat was an illegal one has been ruled out.
He explained that given the darkness at sea and poor lighting by the small vessels there is a possibility that the large vessel which struck the fishing boat might not even have been aware that the accident occurred.
He said that investigations are ongoing and checks are being made to ascertain which large vessel would have been logged at the given coordinates at the time of the accident.
Stabroek News understands that by the time the men arrived in Georgetown they were physically well and were eager to return to their respective homes.
