CHARGES are expected to be laid against the boat captains involved in the fatal collision on the Essequibo River that occurred on September 23, 2019 and which left three persons dead and five others nursing injuries.

Dead are Brazilian Jose Francisco Joaquin; Suriname-based Guyanese businesswoman, Sherry Khan, a mother of four; and 25-year-old Osafo Anthony Roberts, an auto electrician of Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo.

The boat captains were identified as Devindra Singh called “Crank,” 43, of Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and Latchman Sankar.

The men are expected to also be cited for several maritime breaches. Sources said the boat operators can be cited for reckless driving or reckless endangerment of the life of a passenger/passengers, for which the penalties range from monetary fines to suspension of licences.

However, the police will also be implementing criminal charges.
Reports indicate that the two boats collided at Chalmers’ crossing located at the western tip of Hogg Island, in the Essequibo River.

The passengers were aboard an M&Y Express vessel headed in the direction of Buck Hall when it collided with a Venezuela-registered fibreglass boat which was proceeding in the opposite direction.

Reports indicate that the Venezuela-registered vessel was under repairs and on a test run when it smashed into the passenger vessel.

It is alleged that the boat captains were navigating the dark waters without the use of proper lights.

Investigations revealed that the captain of the Venezuela-registered vessel was unlicensed at the time of the collision, while the other captain was licensed.