No sign of missing cook; river littered with cargo
-EPA called in to monitor the situation
AFTER spending close to two hours beneath the water in the hull of the vessel “Miss Lisa” yesterday morning, Valentine Rodrigues and his son came up empty handed in their search for the cook of the vessel, 67-year-old Jerrold Fraser. Speaking with the media at the Muneshwer’s Wharf yesterday morning after his diving expedition, the senior Rodrigues explained that he received a call on Friday night from the General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, with whom he and his son are employed, instructing him to show up at the location for 8 O’ clock yesterday morning.
He said that once at the location yesterday morning, he and his son were taken out to the distress vessel by a tug, and they began diving. He explained that while underwater, they searched the hull and other parts of the vessel for the missing cook, but came up empty-handed. He said that during the search, they came across mattresses, kitchen utensils and bags, among other items.
Asked about the possibility of the missing man still being trapped in the vessel, the diver of over 46 years of experience said it is highly unlikely. He said that had he been called on Friday afternoon immediately after the incident, the possibility of being able to find the cook would have been higher.
Meanwhile, Transport and Hydraulics Minister, Robeson Benn said that because of the nature of the operation on Friday night, and the position of the vessel at the time, it was not necessary to ask the divers to respond, since it was not safe for them to enter the water. But had the men entered the water and subsequently the vessel, it would have been detrimental to those involved.
The 67-year-old Rodrigues told reporters that up to yesterday morning, the cargo ship was being held in its present position by its mast. On Friday evening, a senior official had said that it was difficult for the search-and-rescue team to locate any dedicated divers, since none was available.
Asked about his dedication to the job he does, Rodrigues immediately responded that he is very committed, and is always ready to work, once called upon. He said that had he received a call asking him to go into the water on Friday night, he would have responded, since diving is his business.
Yesterday, Minister Benn said that the diving duo entered the vessel and searched the areas which were safe for and accessible to them, but it was going to be difficult for authorities to conclusively pronounce on whether or not the body of the cook was still in the wreck.
Benn told reporters that searches were going to be conducted on the West Bank and left bank of the Demerara River to see if the body of the cook would have washed up or out of the channel.
He also indicated that an examination was going to be carried out to determine salvaging and removal of the vessel from its present location. He told reporters that based on information received, the vessel was positioned on the edge of the right bank of the Demerara Channel. He described the positioning as unsafe, and said that efforts had to be made to remove the vessel before it slipped into the channel.
At the time of the tragedy, the cargo vessel was ferry millions of dollars’ worth of cargo for several persons.
Following that incident, and over the course of Friday night, several bags of cargo were seen floating in the Demerara River. Cargo ncluded rice bran and coconuts.
Minister Benn said that efforts were being made to recover as much of the floating items as possible, since they pose a threat to life and limb for those using the waterways.
Minister Benn added that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was also called in to monitor the situation and give advice, after learning the sunken vessel has approximately 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board. The minister said that efforts were being made to ensure that fuel did not contaminate the river.
Meanwhile, the owner of the vessel yesterday morning related that the vessel was insured, but not with comprehensive insurance. This publication was informed that the vessel was insured by two insurance companies, but the owner of the vessel would not confirm or deny this.
Asked about claims by the missing cook’s family that the boat was overloaded before and at the time it set sail, Ramdat Sankar dismissed the claims as out of place. He said that at no time was he approached about the weight of the vessel, or the amount of cargo onboard. He said that his vessel was not overloaded.
Sankar recalled that he received a call from the vessel’s captain at around 17 hrs on Friday, informing that he was encountering some difficulties. He said he immediately ordered the man to return to the wharf, but based on what he was told, while navigating back to the wharf, the current caused the vessel to topple.
The vessel was at the time transporting coconuts, coals, lumber and rice to Trinidad. He said that those items belonged to four different persons. The coconut exporter said that this is the first time he was shipping with the vessel.
Mr. Sankar told the media that his vessel sank on the eve of its purchasing date. According to him, he acquired the vessel some four years ago. Yesterday would have been five years since he had become the owner of the vessel.

Excavator on board
There are reports that the vessel had an excavator on board, and when the captain was heading back to the port, he came with a speed and attempted to make a rash turn, thus causing the piece of equipment to shift and turn the vessel over.
The vessel’s owner said that there was a crane on board the vessel which is used to load and offload cargo. He said that it was not possible for the equipment to shift, since it is properly secured and could not shift from its position.