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Pirates attack two fishing vessels in Essequibo

Apr 24, 2009 News

By Trevor Patrick & Rustom Seegopaul
The fears of piracy have once again been raised after two fishing vessels were attacked last Tuesday, while their crews were going about their usual routine aback Cozier, on the Essequibo Coast.
The two vessels — the ‘Sister Sister’ and the ‘Ocean Girl’ — were attacked by the same band of pirates, and their crews relieved of gasoline and rations. Neither of the two vessels was relieved of their catch.

The vessel, ‘Sister Sister,’ was attacked first, as five pirates in one boat came along side the fishing boat. The occupants of the boat, Joseph Mantoos of Better Success, Essequibo Coast, and Ram Bali, of Westberry, Essequibo Coast, were made to lie down in their boat.
Reports have said that the pirates were all armed with ‘long guns.’
After making the men lie facedown in the boat, the pirates relieved them of their mobile phones, gasoline and rations. Apparently angered by the limited booty, the pirates began to chop the 25- horsepower engine that powered the fishing vessel.

Once they had looted the first boat, the pirates proceeded to the second fishing boat, the ‘Ocean Girl.’
Aboard the ‘Ocean Girl,’ the pirates forced the two crew members, Harry Sookraj and his son, Tarzan Sookraj, both of Better Success, to the floor of the boat. They then looted the vessel of its gasoline and rations, before throwing the 15-horsepower engine overboard.

The pirates then made their getaway, leaving the two vessels adrift.
The immobilized vessels drifted for some time, until Sister Sister managed to restore its engine. The two vessels then regrouped and made their way back to shore, at approximately 14:00 hours on Wednesday, last, one towing the other.

Following the ordeal, the crews of both vessels have said that they are reluctant to go back to sea.
Mantoos explained that he had a similar experience two years before. His boat was attacked and robbed.
He has since said that he is contemplating giving up fishing altogether, as it is not worth the risk.

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