FAMILIES of men who died following suspected chemical exposure aboard a cargo vessel docked at the Water Street, Georgetown wharf on Wednesday night, are grappling with sudden and devastating loss, remembering their loved ones as humble, hardworking men who went to work as usual and never returned home.

One of the deceased, 33-year-old seaman Dominic Alexis of Lot 1 De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara, was described by his brother as a humble, hardworking man and a devoted father.

“Dominique was a very humble and hardworking man,” his brother, Darrel Alexis, told the Guyana Chronicle.

Alexis said his brother, a former member of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, exited the service about a year ago and later began working with Pritipaul Singh Jr. at Guyana Port Inc., using his maritime experience to earn a better living.

He recalled that Dominic left home early on Wednesday morning, as he usually did for work, but never returned.

Alexis related that at about 19:30hrs on Wednesday night, he received a phone call from a cousin who said a staff member of Pritipaul Singh Investments Inc. had reported that Dominic had fallen down and was not breathing properly.

He was told that his brother was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), but when he arrived at about 20:55hrs that same night, Dominic was already dead.

Alexis said police informed the family that the matter is under investigation and that they are awaiting post-mortem results.

Dominic Alexis was married to Jeneva Alexis, a nurse, and was the father of five children, two from his marriage and three from prior relationships.

Meanwhile, two of the other men who died were uncle and nephew, 57-year-old Nerwanie Persaud and 25-year-old Getindra Sanchara, both of Sixth Field, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Persaud’s daughter, Yeanjeie, said her father, the captain of the vessel, left home at about 04:00hrs on Wednesday morning and was expected to return later that day, but was delayed due to issues with his vehicle.

“Daddy had called to say his car was having problems and so he was not sure if he would come back home that day. Because I told him I would send someone to look at the vehicle but before we could further enquire if he was coming home, we had no contact with him which was unusual. We knew something as wrong when both me and mom tried calling Getindra too, and they both were not answering our calls,” she said.

She described her father as a dedicated, jovial, family-oriented man who started working at sea at the age of 14 and had more than 35 years of marine experience.

“Daddy was a very good person, always putting smiles on our faces, always happy to be home and he showed it by bringing us joy. He even bought water coconuts for mom and had it in the car but he didn’t get to give it to her,” she said.

Persaud said the family later received a call from a company staff member informing them that something had happened on the vessel and that her father was being taken to hospital.

She noted that they were initially told he was being taken to Woodlands Hospital, but were later informed that he was instead taken to GPHC.

During a visit to the family’s residence, relatives were gathered under a tent erected outside the home, as the family struggled to cope with the loss of both men. A black flag was nailed to a pole outside the yard.

Persaud was the father of three and had 12 grandchildren. He was described as well-known and respected within the marine community.

His nephew, Getindra Sanchara, 25, was unmarried and was said to have been very close to his uncle. He reportedly switched careers from aviation engineering at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle, to marine engineering so he could work alongside Persaud.

He was described as a willing and humble individual who enjoyed his work and often spent one to two weeks at sea with his uncle.

The fourth deceased man was identified by police as 18-year-old Brandon Deonarine, a seaman of Support, East Bank Demerara.

HOW THE INCIDENT UNFOLDED

Police and investigators said the incident occurred at approximately 18:00hrs on Wednesday. Information reaching the Guyana Chronicle indicates that Persaud and Deonarine were the first to enter the engine room, located in the lower section of the cargo barge, to conduct a dry inspection.

Moments after entering the confined space, both men reportedly collapsed. On seeing this, Dominic Alexis rushed into the engine room in an attempt to rescue them. He also collapsed shortly after entering.

In a final effort to assist, engineer Getindra Sanchara ran down into the engine room but likewise lost consciousness.

Investigators were told that a 66-year-old seaman attempted to go down to help but immediately felt stiffness in his chest and began experiencing difficulty breathing. Fearing for his life, he retreated to the deck and ran to the radio room, where he made an emergency call for assistance.

Emergency Medical Technicians and the Guyana Fire Service responded, and the four men were removed from the vessel and transported to GPHC, where they were pronounced dead by a doctor on duty.

It is reported that the engine room could not be immediately processed, as it had not been declared a safe zone. The area was secured and is expected to be revisited as investigations continue.

An initial examination of the bodies revealed no visible marks of violence. Samples were taken and submitted to the forensic laboratory for analysis.

Post-mortem examinations, which were scheduled for Friday, were postponed to Monday, relatives were told.

Investigations remain ongoing.