Several passengers were stranded after a boat en route to Supenaam, on the west bank of the Essequibo River, started to take in water
The boat which was filled with passengers was left stranded on Troolie Island yesterday afternoon. The journey started at around noon from Parika, on the east bank and by 12:36, the boat had begun taking in water. Passengers on board began to panic forcing the captain of the boat to operate at full speed to ensure he got to land before the vessel went under.
The captain managed to get the boat to Troolie Island and offloaded the passengers amongst whom were several babies and a regional official. The passengers’ shoes were soaked and many were panicking as the water was quickly seeping inside. They were eventually rescued by another boat.
“It was horrifying that the boat just left and it was taking in water. We all got scared and everyone was praying that the boat does not sink,” one passenger, Anganie Singh, recounted.
The passengers related that when they were on the island, many of them were trying to use their cellphone to contact relatives and loved ones but they could not get a signal.
“We just happy to be alive, but these boat operators need to get their act together, they need to check their boats properly before they come out to work, people’s lives are at stake,” another passenger chided.
The passengers say they want the Maritime Ad-ministration Department and the relevant authorities to ensure that boat owners and operators understand that they must have serviceable vessels. They opined that this sort of problem happens way too often.
