It is being reported that eleven fishermen were tied up, robbed by pirates and left to drift in the Atlantic Ocean for three days in Barima-Waini region.
Bheasham Kumar, owner of one of the two boats that were robbed by the pirates, told Stabroek News yesterday that the men were fishing when pirates attacked their boat and a smaller fishing boat that was also nearby. Kumar said the pirates blindfolded and tied the fishermen’s hands behind their backs, leaving the boat to drift until they were rescued by a passing boat which was en route to Kumaka also in Region One. The pirates also took five fishermen from the smaller boat, and placed them on Kumar’s boat. They were also tied up.
According to Kumar, “The pirates carried away the main engine, battery, fuel lines, groceries, stove, gas bottle, men’s clothing, Radio, GPS, fish, etc.” He estimated that he lost $3 million in equipment and other property. After the pirates escaped, the captain of one of the fishing vessels, Ken Joseph, said he and the two crews drifted for three days until they were rescued by a passing boat.
He added that a report was made to the police in Morawhanna. However, a police source said no official report was made to the Morawhanna Police Station about a piracy attack, and further investigations will be made to ascertain what happened.
