MINISTER of Public Works, Robeson Benn, yesterday, advised that the Maritime Administration (MARAD), as it is required to do, has written the Commissioner of Police to advise him that charges be laid with respect to the breaches in regulations which were noted, resulting in the fatal boat collision in the Pomeroon River on December 18.

This statement came in response to a question posed in Parliament yesterday by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member, Joseph Harmon, as to what action would be taken against the captain and crew of the vessel assigned to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) which was involved in the collision, and Region 2 Chairman, Parmanand Persaud.
“A statement issued by the Maritime Administration Department, after a preliminary investigation, stated that, among other things, the RDC boat left the scene of the accident without rendering assistance. Persons were left to die in the Pomeroon River,” Harmon stated.
According to the Public Works Minister, the collision occurred because the ill fated boat was not on the correct side of the river. Nevertheless, he stated that the RDC boat could have taken steps to avoid a collision, and the effort that they did make was perhaps too late.
In addition, Benn revealed that a number of breaches were noted by the preliminary investigation by MARAD.
He pointed specifically to the Guyana Shipping Act and International Regulations for the preventions of collisions at sea, which has rules that relate to failing to maintain a proper lookout at all times, proceeding at a safe speed so as to take proper and effective action to avoid a collision, and rendering assistance to the operator and passengers of the other boat.
“On the day following the accident, December 19, the MARAD officials were already in the area doing their preliminary examinations. The boat was examined, the passengers on various sides and people in the area were interviewed, and statements were taken, along with the police and others, and the matter is still under investigation,” he noted.
The minister stressed that it was a preliminary investigation and that no person has yet been found culpable, but that the normal due process in a court of law has to take place.
He indicated that the matter is now with the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), where a course of action is being undertaken.
He noted that he cannot speak to actions being taken against the Regional Chairman, since he does not report to the Minister of Public Works.
However, he pointed out that MARAD will continue its detailed examination of the issue so that when the matter comes up in court, the relevant information on technical issues relating to the incident can be readily provided.
Meanwhile, Benn advised that the ministry, through MARAD, has been attempting, with some success, to change the culture and the designs with respect to how vessels operate on the waterways.
According to him, measures are being implemented to make vessels safer, such as instituting designs of covered boats.
“…it’s probably something to note, that if we had a covered boat which is more strengthened than the normal boat, this type of collision and injury would not have occurred,” he stated.
In addition, he said that seminars were held with the boat operators relating to the speed at which they track the river, the proper operation of the boats, and their licensing.
Six persons were killed on December 18, when the small boat they were travelling in, collided in the Pomeroon River with another owned by the Region 2 RDC.