Port Kaituma-bound cargo-laden trawler sinks, crew member missing

Last Updated on Monday, 3 August 2015, 15:21 by GxMedia

A trawler, which was carrying a large quantity of cargo, capsized at sea off Pomeroon, and one crew member is missing,  the Maritime Administration (MARAD) confirmed Monday.

“MARAD is coordinating efforts to search for the missing person and has also commenced its investigation,” said the regulatory agency.

The name of the missing man was not immediately available because the Captain changes the crew members for each trip, according to a source.  

The vessel’s name is Captain Saif.

The trawler departed Georgetown at about 7 AM Saturday, but by 11 PM Saturday it began encountering difficulties and eventually went down, said the sources. The crew member, who has gone missing, apparently opted to jump overboard rather than remain on the vessel as it was sinking.

Sources close to the owner said Stully, who chartered the vessel, ignored repeated calls by Captain Nishal to dump at least 50 bags of rice overboard because the boat was listing to one side.

According to the source, due to the failure to dispose some of the cargo, he has lost a vessel valued at US$175,000.