A captain whose boat was badly damaged on Tuesday morning by the turbulence caused by a cargo vessel in Port Georgetown is calling for compensation from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).
According to the man’s estimates, he suffered some $12 million in losses as a result of the incident as three parts of his boat including the stern were badly damaged.
Junior George, 46, captain and owner of “White Dover”, the boat in question, told the Sunday Stabroek that on Tuesday at about 10:30 am while the cargo vessel was manoeuvring, the propeller of the vessel created a large wave which caused the boats that were moored at the Meadow Bank wharf to bang against each other.
As a result, his boat suffered significant damage to the stern, keel, and rudder. George explained that among the nineteen boats that were affected, nine of them were badly damaged.
The man lamented that the incident has caused him and his workers to be out of a job at the moment since his boat was loaded and set to go out to sea on Thursday but the incident prevented them from setting out. In the meantime, however, he has hired someone to do the repairs to his boat with the little money he has, until he receives a call from the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill tomorrow about his compensation.
He noted that six boat owners, including himself, had called for compensation and the crews had given their statements on what transpired on Tuesday. The incident is being investigated by MARAD and they should receive a call tomorrow from Edghill concerning their compensation and the way forward.
George said that he would be grateful for assistance from MARAD as he and his crew are not working at the moment and he still has to cover the costs of getting his boat seaworthy.
On Wednesday morning, Edghill met with the affected fishermen at the Meadow Bank wharf.
The minister subsequently told Stabroek News via telephone that on Tuesday at about 10:30 am, the boats were damaged as a result of the cargo vessel manoeuvring in the port. It was being turned around by a tug and during the process, the wake created caused the small boats that were moored at the Meadow Bank wharf to bang against each other resulting in significant damage.
Edghill confirmed that 19 fishing boats were damaged as a result of the incident and compensation for the fishers is being explored.
According to the minister’s Facebook page, he spoke with the fishermen who also highlighted various displacement challenges. He was accompanied by Director of Legal Services of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Thandi Mc Allister, along with other officers from MARAD and the Department of Fisheries.
The minister has agreed to address the matter to ensure that the fishermen’s livelihoods are not further disrupted. (Subhana Shiwmangal)
