REPORTS are now surfacing that mechanical works that lasted throughout the night of February 27 were done on the ‘Chrisann-V’, two days before the ill-fated vessel sank in the Atlantic Ocean near the mouth of the Pomeroon River. According to a reliable source, who asked not to be named, the maintenance was on its engine, hull and other sections, at a docking facility some three miles from Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
On the issue of the cement that the surviving teenage engineer claimed was used to patch the hull, the source said, while that is possible, as some owners use it on cracks and other porous sections, that should not have been done.
He said, when there are cracks and holes on boats, operators, especially owners are expected to do proper repairs, by welding the areas that pose a threat to the lives of those who sail in them.
The Guyana Chronicle was also told that, for whatever reason, the repairer, who worked on the vessel from time to time, always did so at nights only.
The source pointed out, however, that, with the exception of the February 29 tragedy, the Chrisann-V was never involved in any disaster while at sea.
Last week, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) reported that, since 2008, the Chrisann-V was refused operational licences and declared unfit to sail after it failed several safety inspections.
Nevertheless, the craft continued to be operated, unknowing to the authorities and without the requisite safety apparatus, by its Captain, John Vansluytman, who is now among those missing at sea.
Four of the crew survived the sinking and two more have since been found alive.
This newspaper was informed that nothing was related to anyone nor mention made of the vessel having any critical problems and it is unclear whether the overnight works on it had anything to do with its sinking or to remedy what could have been the cause.
The source, a close friend of the vessel’s owner, expressed his disbelief that the seaman with years of experience would be operating without thinking of the safety of himself and his crew.
He said Vansluytman should have been properly monitored to ensure he does not sail after having been barred from doing so because of the many breaches.

DISTRESS CALL
The source said a crew member placed a distress call to the Lighthouse, from the vessel, via a satellite phone, to the owner of the cargo, Weldon Damon, who cannot now be reached on his mobile.
The source could not say if the same person making the claims of the call to the Lighthouse is the same individual who was at the post disaster press conference last week Friday.
Like Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and MARAD officials, the source is very concerned that the recipient of the first distress call from the vessel did not find it necessary to notify the relevant authorities immediately.
Many persons in the Buck Hall and other riverine areas along the Essequibo Coast are still trying to understand, despite the media reports, what really happened on the night of February 29.
One acknowledged that Vansluytman has been working at sea for well over forty years and, at one time in his life as a seaman, worked as a marine pilot in Trinidad. It was also reported that the missing skipper navigated in Caribbean and North American waters, as well.
The Guyana Chronicle has been trying for several days to secure an interview with his wife, but Donna Vansluytman has indicated that she is not in a position to speak to the media and will only do so when she gets definite word on the whereabouts of her husband.