Fisherman drowns after boat explosion

Apr 02, 2017 News

Fishermen who were heading out to sea on the ‘Geeta’ SK 1202 fishing boat captained by Deonarine Haripersaud, aka ‘Chona’ were considered lucky after the boat suddenly exploded in the waters and erupted into flames late yesterday afternoon.
The fishing boat reportedly had a gasoline spill that resulted in the explosion.
Captain of the fishing vessel, Deonarine Haripersaud, told reporters that just around noon yesterday the men were loading the boat to venture out for work.
“I was sitting at the back and all me hear dem bai call and when me come all me see is smoke and fire.”
According to the Captain, he ran to help control the blaze in an effort to salvage something but his boat was already completely damaged.
”A lot of things damage, we tried to move the boat away from wharf so that it nah go ketch.” According to Haripersaud, upon inquiring about the incident he was told by one of his workers that the gas from the drums at the back of the boat leaked towards the bow of the vessel where the men normally cook. “The man was going to light the stove and from deh the fire pitch.”
During the commotion a man identified as Bhairo Persaud called ‘Gear’, a fisherman, was attempting to assist the others when he slipped into the waters and drifted away underneath another boat docked at the wharf. He was reportedly intoxicated at the time.
At the home of the dead man, his nine-year-old daughter was seen drifting in and out of consciousness after she heard the news of her father’s death.
His wife, Bibi Farida Aaron, told Kaieteur News that her husband left home as early as 6:00 am yesterday to seek employment at the co-op. “He leff this morning and tell meh how he ah guh see wan wuk fuh gimme money.”
She stated that she received the message around 12:30 that her husband “gone underneath the boat”.
Aaron related that she immediately left for the fisheries. Her husband’s body was still in the waters and someone assisted in pulling him out.
He was bleeding through his nose and mouth. His body was whisked away to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was a father of four and the sole breadwinner of the home.
Haripersaud said that he suffered some $5.5 million in losses. There were also five drums of gasoline on the boat as well. No-one was injured in the explosion. He has five other vessels. The dead fisherman reportedly worked with him occasionally.

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