THE captains of the two boats involved in the Mazaruni River collision that killed several people in January have been charged with manslaughter.

Devon Thomas, 29, of Lot 104 Third Avenue, Bartica and Cabesh Persaud (no address given) appeared before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell in Georgetown yesterday, facing the indictable charge.
Particulars of the offence said, on January 22, in the Mazaruni River, both being the captains of two speedboats, killed several occupants on board.
The case was heard in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning by Magistrate Sueanna Lovell, and (in the afternoon session) by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Police sergeant Ramsahoye Rambajue, prosecuting, stated that both accused are boat captains, and on the day in question, Devon Thomas, the captain of the vessel called ‘Matheran’ was carrying 13 persons and Cabesh Persaud – the sailor of the other vessel called ‘Dube’ carrying six passengers, was traversing in full throttle, at Crab Falls in the Mazaruni River. It is an area that has a lot of small islands and rocks where they collided with each other resulting in the death of 10 persons.
Attorney-at-law Roger Yearwood, representing Thomas, explained that his client is a boat captain by trade, father of two, had no previous conviction and is not a flight risk. He asked that the magistrate take into consideration the fact that it was an accident between the two boats in the Mazaruni River. Also, during the circumstances he managed to save a few lives. He requested reasonable bail for his client and an early date for trial.
Meanwhile, attorney-at-law James Bond, who represented Cabesh Persaud, told the court that his client has a fixed place of abode at Kartabo Point, Lower Mazaruni River and is a welder by profession. Bond added that his client has been faithfully reporting at the Bartica Police Station every Wednesday, and will attend court on each occasion on every count. Mr. Bond also, requested reasonable bail for his client.
Police prosecutor Rambajue objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence and the number of persons that died.
The objection was overruled, and bail was granted in the sum of $1,000,000 each.
The case will next be heard at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on May 10.