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Gone without a trace… Families reject ‘drowned at sea’ as four Guyanese fishermen remain missing
(Kaieteur News) – Five months after four Guyanese fishermen vanished in Surinamese waters, their families remain gripped by uncertainty, clinging to hope that the men are still alive despite official assumptions of their deaths.
Authorities in Suriname reported that on October 18, 2025, a fishing vessel carrying four Guyanese nationals sank in the Saramacca River. Since then, no bodies, debris, or personal belongings have been recovered, deepening the mystery surrounding the incident.
Among those onboard was 18-year-old Rockey France, along with his cousins Charles Piper, 28, and Mickel Rodrigues, 26, all of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. The boat was owned by Roy Sukdeo.
When Kaieteur News spoke with relatives on Thursday, family members said the absence of evidence has made it difficult to accept that their loved ones are dead.
Rockey’s mother, Olda France, said she continues to hold on to hope.
“I need answers. I think my son is alive somewhere out there. It is very hard for us every day not knowing where he is. I need answers,” she said.
She recalled that during their last conversation, her son assured her that he was okay and was preparing to meet his brother in Suriname. The next day, however, she was informed that he had gone on a fishing trip and the boat had reportedly sunk.
“I never heard back from my son. All I heard was that the boat sank in Suriname waters. The Coast Guard went out, but they couldn’t find the boat or any crew members,” she explained.
The grieving mother said the ordeal has reopened emotional wounds following the loss of her husband a decade ago.
Other relatives are not convinced the men perished at sea, suggesting instead that foul play may have been involved.
“Four crew members missing and nothing was ever found—not even a piece of the boat. If a vessel sinks, something should surface. I believe they were kidnapped,” one relative stated.
Family members noted that this was Rockey’s first fishing trip. Though initially hesitant, he was persuaded by his more experienced cousins, who had worked in Suriname for over six years and assured him it would be a brief, two-day journey.
None of the men were seen or heard from again.
Adding to the uncertainty are conflicting details surrounding the vessel’s final moments. Sukdeo’s wife reportedly told authorities that he had set course for Paramaribo in a newly acquired boat. During their last conversation, he indicated that water was entering the vessel and asked her to record coordinates, fearing the worst.
There were also reports that individuals claimed to have seen the crew adrift using ice boxes. However, extensive search efforts by the Suriname Coast Guard, the army’s Marine Corps, police, and local residents yielded no results.
Five months on, the families say they are still left with more questions than answers and a lingering belief that their loved ones may still be out there.
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