Popular Disc Jockey (DJ) Dorrel Romeo, called ‘DJ Magnum,’ who survived Saturday’s boat mishap in the Essequibo River that left two men dead, has admitted that he was among those not wearing a lifejacket at the time of accident.
“…Well you remember now, we thing dark. We ain’t got time. We is nah no pretty boy thing, wear lifejacket and them thing. We thing loud,” Romeo said in a video uploaded on his Facebook page during which he detailed his experience.
In a picture of the vessel prior to its ill-fated departure, seen by this newspaper, only one passenger can be seen wearing a lifejacket.
Two men, Rondy Adams and Alvin Leitch called ‘Spanish Boss,’ died after the boat, ‘Carlos,’ crashed into a rock in the vicinity of Calf Island, Essequibo River, around 19.00hrs last Saturday.
They both died of drowning, according to the results of autopsies done on Tuesday.
Police had said that the vessel was en route to the Bartica Stelling when the mishap occurred.
In his video, Romeo said that after he went some down 20 feet under water, he managed to get back to the surface and clung to the rock that the vessel hit until he was rescued.
“People the rock wah this boat knock into, is the rock wah I hold on pun,” he said.
The boat was captained by Jermain Blackman. Eleven other persons, including the bowman, were on board.
In a statement issued on Monday, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said investigations revealed that the mishap occurred when Blackman ran into Rattlesnake Rock in the Essequibo River. “According to our investigation thus far, after ‘Carlos’ hit the rock, it suffered extensive damage and was sinking, some of the occupants were thrown into the water while others exited the ill-fated boat and tried swimming to the shore,” the release revealed.
Romeo explained in the video that he had to travel to Bartica last Saturday for an event so he decided to leave early. “…Is like I want lef but yuh ain’t leffing,” he said.
On the way, he said he picked up Leitch, who made several stops before they proceeded to Parika.
Upon arrival there, Romeo said ‘Carlos’ was present and the fare was $4,000 per a person. He said he decided to board the boat. “Yuh weh you going Bartica? Eh heh bai this small boat going. Four grand a head. Aye leh we roll out bai,” Magnum recalled being asked.
Throughout the trip, Romeo said, he had his headphones on. “…We deh in the river and the boat going suh……People yuh know me ain’t see wah happen? Me ain’t see nothing wah happen. I deh in this boat and when I saw Bartica…..me phone in me bag…..Suh I pull me bag and when I look I see 6.32 (pm). Same time I see 6.32 is like I pitch under the wata,” Romeo explained.
He recalled seeing about three others persons in the river. They were all shouting for help. “….I was calm. I was in the middle ah the river…..Weh we went is the middle of Essequibo River, night time, on the rock… All we seeing is wata,” Romeo said.
He said he called two of his friends. One answered and he related what happened and asked for assistance in being rescued. “…Anyways the boat come and start rescue we and thing….They had a woman deh with a baby. Duh woman get save. They didn’t see Spanish Boss (Leitch) and they didn’t see the other guy….I done know them man gone cause weh we went deh is death or alive. Is not no man float and get safe,” Romeo further related.
According to Edghill’s statement, “most” of the occupants on the vessel were not wearing lifejackets. “Most of the persons on board were reportedly not wearing lifejackets, even though it is reported that there were several on board,” the statement said.
Stabroek News had also been told that Adams may have been wearing a lifejacket but gave it to a female passenger.
Edghill added that while Blackman is a licensed captain, his boat was “uncertified” and “not permitted” to operate the Parika-Bartica route. “Further, boats on this service are not allowed to operate during the hours of darkness,” the statement said.
MARAD’s records show that the last authorized departure at that route was by “Lady Zeniell’ at 17.10 hours.
“MARAD has designated 17:00 hours as the latest departure time for boats to depart Parika or Bartica on this service, so as to arrive before dark. The ‘Carlos’ reportedly departed from the Parika Stelling at approximately 17:30 hours after MARAD’s monitors would have concluded work for the day,” Edghill explained.
In the statement, Edghill pointed out that the issue of unlicensed “outside” boats operating on the waterways is “actively” engaging the administration.
As a result, the ministry is urging members of the public not to board water taxis/speedboats operating outside of the regulated system and hours of operation. “MARAD, as the regulatory authority, also wishes to reiterate that all persons using boats/ water taxis must properly and securely wear lifejackets,” the statement said. “Safety on our roads, waterways, and in our airspace must be adhered to. Service providers must follow the rules and be in full compliance at all times,” it said.
