COAST Guard ranks from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) intercepted a passenger vessel bound for Moruca during a routine inspection exercise on the Pomeroon River on Wednesday, after its captain failed to produce required licensing documents.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that among those on board were Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Members of Parliament, Dawn Hastings and Tabita Saraboo.

According to a statement issued by the GDF, personnel stationed at the Pomeroon Floating Base carried out checks on vessels transiting the river as part of standard maritime safety procedures.

Under those procedures, boat operators must register their journey with the Floating Base and present a valid Boat Master’s License, Vessel License, and Certificate of Inspection before continuing their voyage.

During the exercise, the Moruca-bound vessel was stopped for inspection, and its captain was unable to provide the necessary licenses and certification.

As a result, Coast Guard ranks ordered the vessel back to Charity, where the operator is expected to obtain the proper documentation before resuming the trip.

The GDF said the inspection was part of the Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts to enforce compliance with maritime regulations, improve vessel safety, and bolster security across Guyana’s waterways — particularly along river routes used heavily for passenger and cargo transport in the North West District.

In its statement, the Defence Force renewed its call for all boat operators to keep their documentation current and to ensure every passenger is equipped with a properly fitted lifejacket for the duration of their journey.

The GDF Coast Guard has intensified river patrols and spot inspections in recent months as part of a broader push to reduce accidents and improve regulatory compliance on waterways connecting coastal communities to the interior.