Venezuelans stranded in the Demerara River beg for help

Sep 18, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Our nightmare began when we were hired by Mr. Uwem Augustine Jackson to locate the tanker M/T MELISSA JAY, at the time registered as “Pollux A”, in order to take her from Dominican Republic to Venezuela. She was due to enter at DIANCA, the Venezuelan shipbuilders and repairer’s dry dock. 4 Venezuelan crewmembers arrived from our country to Dominican Republic on February 9, 2016.
Once in there we travelled to the city of Barahona where the ship was anchored. Once on board we began to prepare the ship to take her to the shipyard. We set sail on March 4, destined to Aruba. Arrived in Aruba on March, 07, 2016, where we waited for fuel. When anchored in Aruba Mr. Uwem Augustine Jackson, who was the captain of the vessel at the time, said the ship would not go to the Venezuelan shipyard, but to Georgetown, Guyana instead, to be repaired in there. We sailed on March 17, for Georgetown Guyana, where we arrived on March 27, 2016.
Since that time we have been anchored in the Demerara River. Progressively seafarers have arrived to complete the crew, since navigation from the Dominican Republic to Georgetown was performed on a reduced crew of only 5. Time went by and we have spent the days and months in this predicament. Salaries have accumulated and the owner only offers promises to pay that he never fulfilled. Situation got worse and brought us many unfavorable conditions, and to all of our families consequently. We are currently only 4 Venezuelan crewmembers, as 5 Guyanese crew members left because they were tired of so many lies from Mr. Augustine Jackson.
At present time we are 4 crew members of M/T Melissa Jay, Saint Vincent and Grenadines flag. Vessel registration number is 401000. IMO number: 740308; currently anchored in the Demerara River in Position: 6° 47.230‘N, 58° 10,760‘W. The ship belongs to AJ Marine INC, located at the following address: 217 BB ECCLES PARK. c/o PETER’S BOAT BUILDING AND REPAIRS. Grant Unity Charity, Pomeroon, Esequibo.
We would like to bring to the attention of the media our case, in order to make the country and the competent authorities to know the problems and agony we are living in (agony we are experiencing due to owner, Uwem Augustine Jackson ill manners and cruel behavior). He is from Sierra Leone, Africa, subject. He ceased to fulfill its commitment as ship owner.
He left the crew abandoned, without sending fuel, water and food. In many occasions we go to sleep on our empty stomachs for not having food on board, sometimes we are more than 3 days without bathing for not having water board. Most nights we sleep in the dark, due to complete lack of ship lighting. Sometimes we have to take the mattresses outside our cabins and sleep at the open, on deck, because temperature in the cabins is unbearable. We would like to let everyone be informed that we are victims of the ship owner Augustine Jackson‘s irresponsibility.
We have already applied to several authorities, like the Harbor Master, The head of the Guyana‘s Maritime Authority, The Marine Registrar, Mr. Robert Millington, who tried to mediate in this case; but Mr. Augustine Jackson never responded to the call of such authorities. They made a call to him through the ITF but he ignored them together with our requests.
It should be noted that when Mr. Jackson comes on board is to offend, humiliate, mistreat and threaten. He always tries to terrorize the crew, saying that he is a rogue. When we demand our money to be paid because 7 month has already passed without receiving our wages, he laughs at us. When we tell him that we just want be paid and be repatriated to our country Venezuela, his answers are: “I pay when feel fit”. “No one will force me to pay, because this is a country without law and here I do what I please”.
We respectfully make this call before the authorities to ask for justice to be served in our case, because it should not be allowed that Mr. Augustine Jackson makes fun of laws. In addition, he has caused so much damage to us and to our families. We would like the authorities of this country to prove Mr. Augustine Jackson that he is wrong, that the legal system really works in Guyana, and laws are respected and enforced, such as in any democratic country. Also, to teach a lesson to Mr. Augustine that he cannot play with the needs of people and their good faith.This is justice that we hope to receive in Georgetown Guyana.
M/T Melissa Jay crew:
Master: Luis Sánchez
Electrician: Wilmar Chávez
Fitter: Richard Gonzalez.

1 thoughts on “Venezuelans stranded in the Demerara River beg for help”

RLSG September 18, 2016 at 8:45 am

Sorry to hear about your predicament but like Mr. Jackson says “no one will force me to pay because this is a country without law and here I do what I please”. Imagine that this foreigner from Sierra Leone can come to Guyana, make such a statement and behave like a dictator. Sadly in Guyana a country without laws anyone can do whatever and get away with it. His pronouncement speaks volumes but sadly it is so true.