Two persons are missing and now feared dead following a boat mishap in the vicinity of Calf Island, Essequibo River. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon between 6.45pm and 7pm.
The identities of the missing persons remain unknown. The boat at the time was occupied by 10 passengers along with the captain Jermaine Blackman, and bowman, Lamuel Allen, both of Bartica.
Police in a brief statement yesterday said the vessel was en route to Bartica Stelling. During the journey, the vessel while attempting to navigate around a damaged beacon moored approximately 100 feet away from Calf Island, collided with the beacon.
As a result the vessel’s hull was punctured and it began to sink. The captain responded by attempting to put the boat ashore but was unable to do so as the vessel sank. At this point the passengers began swimming to shore.
As news of the mishap reached those in Bartica, public spirited persons rushed to the area to assist survivors. Among those who made it to shore was popular disc jockey Dorrel Romeo, popularly known as ‘DJ Magnum’.
However, when a head count was done, it was discovered that two persons were unaccounted for.
According to the police, it is unclear at this time whether all the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the mishap.
A search party has been deployed to the area to find the persons feared drowned.
