Collision on the Demerara River
Sinjeet Ramsaywack and Vishal Ramsaywack, owners of a passenger ferry known as “Shadow”, which operates across the Demerara River between Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop, have filed a court action against SSR Incorporated claiming damages in excess of $14M.

The Ramsaywacks, represented by Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall, are contending negligence on the part of SSR Incorporated, a US-based company, which resulted in a boat collision in the Demerara River.

They are claiming damages in excess of $10M for negligence; special damages in the sum of $4,207,000 and still continuing; interest in accordance with the provisions of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Chapter 6:02; and costs.

The petition to the court states that the Defendant (SSR Incorporated) is a limited liability company incorporated in the State of Florida in the United States.

The petition noted that the defendant was at all material times within the jurisdiction of Guyana performing certain contractual duties in relation to the laying, installation and improvement of underwater Fiber Optic Cable.

The Plaintiffs are contending that on or around the April 24, 2009, at or about 8:20 hours, their passenger ferry was traversing the Demerara River heading east from Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, to Georgetown ,when officers and/or employees and/or agents of the Defendant recklessly and negligently caused their marine vessel, the RV GEO, which was heading north, to collide with the ferry causing the Plaintiffs to suffer serious financial loss and damage.

According to the document, the agents of the defendant company failed to observe and keep a proper lookout for other marine vessels traversing the Demerara River; failed to slow down and proceed cautiously at that juncture of the Demerara River regularly traversed by passenger ferries operating the Georgetown to Vreed-en-Hoop route; drove in a reckless manner without due care and attention to other ferries and vessels traversing the Demerara River; drove too fast in all the circumstances; and conducted several other named malpractices.

The petition also alleges that after the collision, the agents of the Defendant did not stop at the scene of the collision to render any form of assistance to the passengers and ferry crew, but simply drove off in a northerly direction.

“Eventually, the Defendant’s marine vessel, RV GEO, was located and detained by the Guyana Transport and Harbours Department,” the document said.

It also stated that the Defendant, via a letter, promised that all matters would be settled expeditiously; but to date, the Plaintiffs have received no compensation from the Defendant in relation to the financial loss and damage they suffered and no form of communication in respect thereof.

Meanwhile, a passenger of the ferry owned by the Plaintiff, Tulsiram Sukdeo, has also filed an action against SSR Incorporated.

Sukdeo is claiming damages in excess $10M for negligence; special damages in the sum of $862,000 and still continuing; interest in accordance with the provisions of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Chapter 6:02; and costs.

He contends that he was one of approximately 32 passengers travelling in the passenger ferry when officers of the Defendant recklessly and negligently caused their marine vessel to collide with the passenger ferry causing him to suffer serious injuries, loss and damage.

The court document states that Sukdeo continues to seek medical attention and treatment and is scheduled to undergo another operation in the near future.