GDF, MARAD coordinate rescue mission after Pritipaul Singh Investment fishing vessel sinks

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, 17:47 by Writer

A captain and three crew members, were rescued after their fishing vessel, Sea Knight, sank approximately 20 miles off the coast of the Pomeroon River on Sunday evening, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) said.

“The success of the rescue operation is credited to the swift response and safety protocols in place,” MARAD said.

The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on May 25, 2025.

MARAD said the vessel, owned by Pritipaul Singh Investment Inc., went down in the Atlantic, leaving the men adrift. The GDF also said that the rescued crew recalled that the ‘SEA KNIGHT’, began taking in water rapidly due to a “sudden and catastrophic leak”.

“Despite their efforts to contain the flooding, the vessel was quickly overwhelmed and submerged around 20:00 hours,” the army said.

Captain Monzil Thomas remained afloat using a life ring and was later rescued near the mouth of the Pomeroon River by 2-Sister, another fishing boat.

A few hours into the coordinated search, the remaining three fishermen—Delon Sandy, Patrick McRae, and John McRae, Jr.—were located adrift approximately six nautical miles from the mouth of the Pomeroon River.

All three were found wearing life jackets and were safely rescued, MARAD said.

The GDF added that the first fisherman was located adrift approximately six nautical miles off the mouth of the Pomeroon River.

The remaining three were subsequently recovered about five nautical miles offshore from Devonshire Castle Village, Essequibo.

Upon their return to the GDF Coast Guard Headquarters, the Defence Force said the rescued fishermen received immediate medical attention and were later transported safely to their homes.

MARAD said it received the first report of the incident at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Monday, May 26.

In response, the Emergency Operations Unit—led by Captain John Flores—immediately launched a search and rescue operation.

The effort was supported by the Guyana Coast Guard under Commander David Shamsudeen, employing both aerial and ground surveillance.

In its account of the rescue operation, the GDF said its Coast Guard on Monday “successfully executed a comprehensive search and rescue (SAR) operation.

The GDF said the distress signal was received at around 5:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025 by the Timehri Control Tower.

As part of the Coast Guard’s swift response led by Commander Shamsudeen, two Metal Shark boats were mobilised and coordination with the GDF Air Corps, resulted in the deployment of a HAL aircraft to conduct aerial reconnaissance.

The GDF extended sincere gratitude to two civilian fishing vessels operating in the area, as their timely assistance contributed significantly to the success of the rescue operation.