AS a result of a collision between two vessels in the Mazaruni River, a fire ensued quickly engulfing one of the vessels causing a female passenger to be burnt extensively, who subsequently perished.THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Friday said around 13:00 hrs the two vessels collided in the Mazaruni River, in the vicinity of an area known as “All-boys.”

A press release stated that one is an aluminum hull passenger vessel and is propelled by two water jets. The other is a wooden passenger/cargo boat and was being propelled by a 200 horsepower outboard engine.

MARAD has sent a team to the Mazaruni area to begin an investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, The Transport & Harbours Department (T&HD) vessel “Sandaka” and a small passenger boat “Akeela” collided in the Essequibo River, near the Parika Stelling on Thursday.

A statement said the incident occurred as the Sandaka, which serves the Leguan to Parika route was mooring alongside the Parika stelling, while the master of the Akeela refused to move his boat from the position alongside which is reserved for the T&HD’s vessels.

The Akeela operates the Parika –Wakenaam – Supenaam service and had 23 persons on board, and as the collision seemed imminent, some of its passengers jumped overboard, T&HD said.

Some minor injuries were reported, but there were no fatalities; the AKEELA was damaged but not the MV Sandaka.

Officers from T&HD and the MARAD are investigating this incident.