AN EXCURSION that was promoted as a fun-filled boat cruise, from Parika to Bartica and back on Easter Sunday, went awry, with many patrons describing it as marred by a comedy of errors. The event, patronised by hundreds, was organised by Food for the Poor, a well-known not-for-profit organisation, but it angered the management of Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) which had deployed the m.v. Makouria for the journey.
A spokesman for T&HD  charged that the promoters failed to cooperate with the captain and crew of the vessel and, consequently, endangered the lives of the people on board.
The myriad problems, most triggered by a late start of the trip, include the boat having to stop in mid-stream for other persons brought by speedboat from Parika; long delayed arrival at  Bartica; conflicting announcements about the time allowed to stay at Bartica, resulting in some excursionists being stranded at Bartica; the vessel leaving on return to Parika after dark; the boat hitting a sand bank around 21:00 h, causing panic amongst passengers and all of them getting back to Parika around midnight.
There were also unconfirmed reports that, during the dark night, the vessel went astray and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard had to rescue and pilot it to safety.
However, when contacted, a T&HD official, who denied that happened, said the Marine Superintendent who was with the Captain can attest to the non-occurrence.
But some patrons who registered their concerns with the Guyana Chronicle, claimed that, after the boat went off course, armed Coast Guard ranks sailed alongside the Makouria and piloted it in the right direction.
However, that could not be substantiated by the Army.
Those annoyed with the outcome maintained that they tried their best to enjoy what they had paid for but many irritants contributed to the delivery of a package of quality less than expected.
In keeping with arrangements between the organisers and T&HD, the Makouria should have left Parika at 09:00 h for a six-hour sail.
But, on the insistence of the promoting organisation, the captain was prevented from starting to sail until it was evident that a certain number of people were aboard and that resulted in a one and a half hours delay and sailing against the tide both ways, slowing the speed considerably.
Informed
On arrival at Bartica, the captain announced that the return trip would begin within half an hour but the promoter’s representative and the disc jockey (DJ), using the public address system,  informed patrons that they were allowed one hour, instead.
As a result, the vessel did not leave Bartica until 17:30 h., by which time it was beginning to get dark and the situation was aggravated by reduced visibility and brush fires along the coastline.
Even before 17:30 h, some patrons had still not boarded and were abandoned at Bartica.
In an invited comment, the captain said, had the promoters cooperated with him and his crew, things would have gone smoothly.
The captain said he made it very clear, at Parika, approaching 09:00 h, that it was imperative the cruise takes off on time because time and tide wait on no man and any late beginning would have caused other problems, including getting home late at night.
Makouria returned to Georgetown after midnight, having put the passengers off at Parika, instead of the previously scheduled 22:00 h.
Despite all that was reported, Food for the Poor maintained that everything went well but it would be issuing a press release later.
The Thursday release said, in part: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the boat was delayed during its return journey from Bartica to Parika and arrived at Parika Stelling at 24:00 h (midnight). This delay had absolutely nothing to do with Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc.”
In the statement, Food for the Poor commended all of the patrons who supported the fund-raiser on “the patience they exhibited during the delay.”
“We do hope that everyone had an enjoyable day and was satisfied with the effort  that Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc. made in hosting this event,” the statement said.