Videsh John, 22, of Goed Bananen Land, East Berbice, is among the persons reported missing after a molasses barge sank off the East Coast of Demerara at 01:00hrs on Monday.
The father of one was reportedly in the company of one other man on the barge at the time of the incident.
Sources indicated that during the ordeal, John managed to contact a loved one and described the harrowing moments as the barge began sinking.
Guyana Standard understands that all four men, including the captain, who were on the tug boat have been found alive. Only the two person who were reportedly on the barge are missing. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate those still unaccounted for.
See full statement from the Maritime Administration Department on the incident:
At approximately, 01:00 hours, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) received a distress signal concerning the sinking of a tanker barge: TRADER III approximately 9.5 Nautical Miles off Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara
At the time of the incident the barge was engaged in the transport of a cargo of molasses from Berbice to Georgetown.
Two crew members are reported missing.
Immediately upon receipt of the distress communication emergency response operations were activated to search for the missing persons.
MARAD’s Emergency Operations Coordinator, Capt. John Flores, is leading the search and rescue effort, with support the of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, and the vessel owner.
