Seamen probably trapped in capsized Surinamese tanker; two survivors being transported for medical attention

Last Updated on Thursday, 14 August 2014, 21:00 by GxMedia

The two seamen, who were aboard the now capsized Surinamese-owned Motor Tanker Swift Dolphin, were Thursday afternoon being transported to Georgetown for medical attention but their two colleagues were trapped in the vessel and believed dead, according to well-placed sources.

The survivors have been positively identified as Augustus Persaud and Anthony Sukhdeo. Persaud was injured but his condition is not serious, according to the source.

According to the source, those feared drowned are Patrick Constantine and the Captain of the vessel, Kayman Rickram Persaud.

The source said it would be almost impossible to recover the bodies of Constantine and Persaud because of the position of the tanker. The source added that it would be also very expensive to turn over and salvage the vessel that capsized at the mouth of the Corentyne River about 9 O’clock Wednesday night. The survivors were rescued by a Venezuelan trawler that had responded to a distress call on the radio communication system.

Guyana’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) said the MT Swift Dolphin was returning to Guyana from neighbouring Suriname when the mishap occurred.

A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) source said over-flight of the area was conducted and two Coast Guard vessels were being deployed to the area. The owner of the ill-fated vessel was also expected to travel to the area where the incident occurred.