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Cuyuni River tragedy…Unlicensed teen ‘captain’ was heading for restricted area

Jun 01, 2013 News

By Michael Jordan
The vessel that capsized at Cuyuni two Saturdays ago had an unlicensed 19-year-old as its captain. It was heading to an area considered to be so treacherous that operators are prohibited from taking passengers there.
This was revealed yesterday by Director of Maritime Safety, Stephen Thomas, who also confirmed that Maritime officials have prohibited vessels from traversing the dangerous Matuk Falls with passengers.
“It is illegal to transport passengers (through this area). It is a very treacherous area,” he told Kaieteur News.
Thomas stressed that the vessel had not yet approached the restricted area, also called the ‘stop-off area’, when it capsized. However, from interviews with the captain and a survivor, it was confirmed that the captain had intended to traverse the falls without first offloading his passengers, as is required.
“They had no intention of stopping. Many try to do it (traverse the area). The requirement is that all boats going into that area should have two engines. The boat had two engines (but) some think that because they have two engines they can go through.”
He explained that during their training as boat pilots, operators are notified that passengers must disembark before the vessel reaches the restricted point. He also confirmed that the individual manning the ill-fated boat was not licenced.
“He was only 19 years old…the main causes of the accident were carelessness, negligence and lack of experience on the part of the captain. He will almost certainly be charged.”
Thomas said that Maritime officials are contemplating erecting warning signs at the restricted point.
Veteran miner Charles Da Silva told Kaieteur News that the Matuk Falls has been prohibited to vessels since the colonial era.
“At the bottom (of the falls) is a skull and crossbones sign placed there since the colonial times, but the locals go through when they have plenty of horsepower,” Mr. Da Silva said.
He explained that passengers would first disembark and take a long land route around the falls. But he said that this route was about an hour longer than the river route, and some captains would sometimes brave the falls to save time.
“If you have a big boat with two 75-horsepower engines and a good captain you are alright, but the minute your motor collapses, is gone you are gone.”
Mr. Da Silva said that insurance companies would refuse to reimburse clients whose vessels were damaged in this area.
According to reports, the teen implicated in the recent tragedy was attempting to negotiate the rapids in the Cuyuni River when his boat struck a rock and developed engine trouble a short distance from Matuk Falls.
Those that perished are Junior Bandhu, 35, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo,  William Patoir of New Amsterdam, Berbice, Clive Welcome, 19, of First Avenue, Bartica and Seon Robertson, 39, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.

 

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