-leaves owner jobless, millions in damages
“FISHING BOAT ah catch’a fire; help!” was the alarm raised last night around 00:30hrs by a security guard at a nearby sawmill.
Upon arrival at the scene, owner of the vessel, Taradev Ramana of Vergenogen, found his fishing boat, named ‘Tarana’, engulfed in flames.
In an attempt to prevent the fire from further spreading, Taradev said that with the help of neighbours, he and family members began dousing the blazing vessel with water. Their action finally helped bring the flames, which were being fanned by strong winds, under control.
Taradev, who suspects foul play, said that he has since reported the matter to the police, since for the past few days he had been receiving threatening phone calls from an anonymous source.
Noting that his was the only fishing boat on the seashore at the time of the incident, the fisherman said it was not a pirate attack, and believes he is being victimized by someone who knows him well.
The father of three told the Guyana Chronicle that he lost most of his fishing equipment in the fire. These include seines, an ice box, a gasoline tank, life jackets along with the boat among other items; a total value of GY$ 2.5 million.
He said that the only thing which was not damaged was the boat’s engine, which he removed that evening and stored at his residence.
Lamenting the loss, Taradev said the boat was his only means of income and now that it is damaged, he has no job.