THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) up to late yesterday was continuing its search and rescue efforts in the Essequibo River as they sought to locate dead or alive, 24-year old Fred Crème of Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast.

The young man went missing in the river on Saturday after the boat he and nine other men were travelling in capsized in the vicinity off the Riverstown Foreshore, Essequibo Coast.
Reports surrounding the tragedy suggested that the vessel in which the men were travelling in, a wooden balahoo encountered rough waters and efforts by the boat captain to ride the waves successfully were futile and the vessel toppled tossing the men overboard.
Following the incident another vessel which was also in the vicinity, travelled over to where the boat with the men had capsized and offered assistance.
However, by that time there was no sign of the 24-year old and after the nine other men made their way onboard the rescue vessel they opted to return to the water in search of the missing man in futility.
Yesterday efforts by the Guyana Chronicle to make contact with Transport Minister, Robeson Benn and Director General of the Maritime Administration Department Claudette Rogers were futile. However, a source close to both of the officials confirmed that the maritime department had gone into search and rescue mode.
It is unclear if any of the men were wearing life jackets at the time of the tragedy.