THE captains of the Bartica Speed Boat Association (BSBA) are calling on the authorities to intervene and stop illegal operators who are putting them out of business.

The boat captains complain that they voiced their concerns to the relevant authorities on countless occasions, but the situation remains the same and they continue to be denied their daily bread by other boat captains who operate illegally.

BSBA Secretary Vadym Joseph said the only person left to engage on the issue is President Ganger himself, as their call for intervention is being completely ignored.

Some three years ago, about 10 boats began plying the Parika to Bartica route illegally. These operators load their boats out of the sequence system that was put in place by the Maritime Administration. According to Joseph, these captains are not equipped with licenses and are not paying revenue, but are enjoying the rewards of those who are adhering to the law.

He told this publication that countless complaints on the issue were made to the Maritime Administration, the Parika and Bartica Police Stations, and the relevant Ministry during the previous administration and under the coalition Government, but, for some strange reason, no one seems to listen.

“This is really disturbing that no one is giving attention to this matter,” he said.

Joseph also lamented that BSBA officers are not reporting the misconduct during their daily inspections. He is of the opinion that corruption is the reason for the cries of his fellow legal speedboat operators being ignored.

“I am of the opinion that these men (are) paying a very big bribe to some people, because they are not doing anything about it,” an irate Joseph said.

The BSBA captains are reiterating their call to the relevant authorities to have this issue addressed urgently, before violence becomes their next alternative.

The BSBA Executive members are planning to secure an appointment with President Granger, but are disappointed that a matter of this nature has to go this far before it gets attention, especially when it can be settled by the Maritime Administration and the police, they said.