Latest update April 7th, 2025 12:08 AM
Missing fishermen still not accounted for
The search is continuing for five missing fishermen who went out to sea since August 6. Up to press time they had still not been located.
Missing are Khemraj Dhanpat, 42, called Manohar or Rajin, who was the boat captain and a married father of four, of Number 64 village; his brother Narine Dhanpat, 38, called ‘Shrimp’, a married father of two, also of Number 64; Clifford Singh, 28, a married father of one, of Number 62 village; Ouditnarine Ramnarine, 37, of No. 64 and Suresh Martin, 34, a married father of two.
Boat owner Gajadar Bisnauth called Lakeram
According to owner of the boat, Gajadar Bishnauth called Lakeram, of 198 Number 64 village, the men, who were working with him since 1994, left in his 52 x 81/2 -ft. boat named Reshma on the 6th of August for a 8-10 days trip at sea. He stated that the captain and his brother are his brothers- in-law and the other men are mostly family from around the area. They would usually fish in Surinamese waters. . He said the men left well loaded with everything, and the ration, boat, engine and seine coast about $4.5M.
Bisnauth stated that when more than 10 days had passed and the men had not returned, he started to make enquiries and was told that a boat was spotted at Caroni in Suriname. After he made further enquiries he decided to make the trip and was horrified when he saw his empty boat on the foreshore. The boat was devoid of everything.
“No engine, no fishing gears, no stove, no foodstuff, absolutely nothing was found,” the distraught man related.
He returned to Guyana and made reports to the police and the Fishermen’s Coop Society.
“Since then the Co-op has assisted with boat men and engines to conduct searches. Today (yesterday) about 16 persons went out to search and they will overnight in Suriname, if necessary, and return on tomorrow morning (today). The police yesterday collected the photographs of the missing men which are to be sent to Interpol.
Bisnauth stated that his life depends on the fishing boat which he acquired since 1994.This is the fourth time his boat has been hijacked – twice in 2009, once in 2010 and now.
“This is the worst. Most times the pirates would take the engine, ration or so on, but this time I cannot explain. They have taken my livelihood away from me,” he stated almost in tears.
When Kaieteur News visited, the yard was filled with relatives and visitors who vented their anger at the treatment meted out to fishermen. They claimed that since the incident no one from the government has visited them to even hear their concern or sympathize with them. One man stated that “the government only talking about rice farmers as if fishermen not important”.
”Nobody cares about us poor fishermen… imagine five persons are missing or dead and nobody cares.”
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