Cargo vessel sinks, crew escapes

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia

The Guyana registered General Cargo Vessel ‘STOLLIE 1”, which was bound for Port Kaituma, North West District, sank off the Guyana Coast between the entrance of the Pomeroon and Waini Rivers on Saturday January 18th, 2014, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) said in a statement.

The vessel departed Georgetown at 06:00 hours on Friday January 17th with a consignment of general cargo. There were four crew members on board.

MARAD said according to the initial investigation, the M.V. STOLLIE 1 is believed to have sunk after its engines failed and it became disabled. Some cargo apparently shifted, thus causing the vessel to list heavily before it began to take in water until it sank.

The captain and crew safely evacuated the sinking vessel with their lifesaving equipment and they were subsequently rescued by a passing vessel some 12 hours later.

This incident is now being investigated by the Maritime Administration Department.