Guyana trawler explodes, sinks in Suriname waters

Jul 26, 2010 News

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– one dead, two others hospitalized

A Guyanese seaman is feared dead following a fuel explosion on a trawler, the ‘Captain Tan’, which subsequently sank in Suriname waters shortly after 01:00 hrs yesterday.

Ravi Sankar Ragoonauth, 39, of De Willem, West Coast Demerara, is believed to have perished after being trapped on the blazing craft.

Kaieteur News understands that three other crewmembers managed to jump overboard. Two of the seamen were reportedly rescued by the Suriname Coast Guard, while a passing trawler rescued the Captain.

Two of the men, one of whom sustained minor burns, are said to be recuperating from their ordeal in the Dutch-speaking republic.

The owner of the vessel, Mr. Sasesankar, identified the rest of the crew as Ramlall Ramjattan (the captain), of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop; Sharief Khan, and Rameshdatt Narine.

Mr. Sasesankar told Kaieteur News that he had recently purchased the vessel in the US. He said that the trawler had undergone some repairs, and the crew was heading to Suriname, since someone wanted to buy the vessel.

According to the trawler owner, he subsequently received a call from someone who said that a generator on the ‘Captain Tan’ had exploded and the vessel had caught fire. He estimates his losses at some $16M.

According to another source, the men were pumping fuel on the vessel when sparks ignited the fuel.

There was reportedly a loud explosion and the vessel quickly caught fire.

Ram Ragoonauth, the missing man’s father, told Kaieteur News that he was informed that his son was down in the engine room, while the other three crew members, including the Captain, were on the deck.

He added that one of the crew members who contacted the family said that after the boat burst in flames, two crew members jumped overboard.

However, one man, identified as “Bharrat” ran down into the engine room to inform Ragoonauth about the fire.

“De boy seh he run down fuh tell Ravi de boat on fire, but by de time he running back up, all over was fire so he had to run through it…but he seh he ain’t know if Ravi get to come out or he get burn up inside,” Mr.  Ragoonauth related.

He said he was told that the two other seamen were rescued by Surinamese Coast Guards while the Captain was rescued by a passing fishing vessel.

While no one has reportedly seen the Captain, this newspaper has been told that he contacted his relatives to say that he was alive and well. Ragoonauth’s father said he received news of the mishap sometime after 06:00 hours yesterday.

He had last seen his son two Sundays ago when he left for his regular fishing trips.

Mr. Ragoonauth said the bad news came via a telephone call from a neighbour.

“De phone ring about 5:30 and dis lady just ask me way Ravi deh and how he doing, but she ain’t tell me nothing because she know he wife lil sick,”

The man related that another neighbour called and kept asking about his son but said nothing about the mishap.

It was not until a third call that someone broke the news to him.

Relatives of the missing man are making plans to travel to neighbouring Suriname to see whatever information they can gather. They said they have already informed the local authorities about the incident and assurance has been given that efforts will be made to locate Ragoonauth.

In addition, the man’s relative said that they received information that efforts are being made to salvage the sunken trawler.

The mishap occurred just a month after a trawler captain was killed and three others badly burnt in a raging fire aboard a trawler.

The ‘Captain Lloyd 97’, registered to Prittipaul Singh Investments at Providence, was in Region One, Essequibo, when the tragedy occurred.

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Relatives of slain taxi driver need answers

NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – The relatives of slain driver, Trevor Kissoon, are searching for answers. One of Trevor Kissoon’s brothers, Stanley Ramsammy, said that their loved one was taken from them and a killer or killers is/are still at large.

“He was taken from us in the line of duty. The police…based on their information, took statements from the people they questioned and we didn’t hear anything again about the whole story.”

Ramsammy categorically denied the possibility of his brother being involved in the illicit drug trade.

“No! Trevor was not involved with any drugs or illegal activity that we know of. We were very close and we confided in each other and I am not aware of my brother being involved with or having any such connections.” When questioned about the possibility of Trevor Kissoon being used as a mule with or without his knowledge, Mr. Ramsammy firmly said no.

“Trevor would never have given his consent to do anything such thing. He was a law-abiding citizen. The only way that could have happened and he could have been used for underhand business had to be without his knowledge and consent and without our knowledge as well.”

The man said, the fact that the arms of the law have not embraced the person or persons behind his brother’s death, is heart-breaking for the family.

“Because his relationship at the home he lived was more like a roller coaster…like a yo-yo. He was always unhappy and complained to all his friends and family about it. He had domestic problems. I am questioning the way it occurred. We are looking for justice.”

The body of 27-year old Trevor Kissoon of 25 Alexander Street in New Amsterdam was fished out of a canal at Number Seven Village, which is along the Number Nineteen Highway on June 10th. He was an employee of the J&N Taxi Service at Trinity and Main Streets, New Amsterdam. The man was sent in a silver Carina 212 car, HB 7489, to locate a passenger at the Canje Turn just after 23:00 hours on June 9th. About 11:15 hours the following day police received a telephone call from a resident in the area informing them that a body was in the waterway.

There were wounds to the head and one above the right eye which reportedly occurred from being struck with a blunt object.

An autopsy revealed that he died from shock and hemorrhage. There was also a laceration to the brain as a result of a fractured skull.

During the early stage of the probe, four persons were detained, interrogated and then released. Two of them were kept overnight, including the man’s reputed wife. Commander of Division ‘B’ of the Guyana Police Force, Assistant Commissioner Steve Merai said an intense probe is still ongoing. According to him, several theories including that of a triangular love affair among others are being scrutinised. The possibility of a car theft exists since the caller specifically requested that model of car, a 212, from the taxi service and waited until it was available. It may not necessarily mean that Trevor Kissoon was the intended target.  It is also suspected that the murder had backings from a connection in Georgetown.

The vehicle, a silver Carina 212 car HB 7489, was never recovered. Police recently conducted a campaign targeting that particular made of car but no traces of the vehicle were found. According to the Commander, based on the information received, the man’s paramour may not necessarily have any connection to his murder but the Guyana Police Force is not ruling out anyone as a suspect, and is leaving no stone unturned. In addition, old ground would be revisited until Trevor Kissoon’s killer/killers is/are found. The file is yet to be dispatched to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Also of interest to detectives was the video recording taken before and after contact was last made with the taxi driver. Police ranks viewed the security tapes and what was seen is of value to the probe.  Merai said that the Guyana Police Force is grateful to the management of the Berbice River Bridge Company. “We had full co-operation from Mr. Samaroo and we are very grateful. We want to commend him and his team. We spent several hours looking at their (Berbice River Bridge’s) security system. The information we found and what we have gathered are of great help to our investigation.”

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