$118M Prison Vessel named after murdered prison officer

The Government will formally commission the M.V Troy W – the first cargo and passenger vessel to ferry goods, staff and prisoners of the Guyana Prison Service this Saturday. The vessel has been named after Troy Williams, a prison officer who killed during the 2002 prison break at Camp Street.

Speaking with the News Room during a telephone interview today, Director of Prisons (acting) Gladwin Samuels explained that the Ministry of Public Security accepted the recommendation by the Guyana Prison Service to name the vessel after the former Prison Officer.

Troy Williams was stabbed in the line of duty when five armed and dangerous criminals shot their way out of the Camp Street jail on February 23, 2002, which also saw the injury of female Prison Officer, Roxanne Winfield who is now paralyzed. At the time of his death, Williams was 23-years-old.

The $118 million vessel, which was constructed by the Guyana National Industrial Company, will not immediately set about sailing with prisoners but according to a statement from the GNIC, the vessel will be making its maiden “test sail” on Saturday in the Demerara River.

The Twin Screw Passenger- Cargo Vessel has accommodation for 80 passengers above the Main Deck as well as 60-ton cargo space below main deck forward of the engine room.

It contains three watertight bulkheads which divides the hull in four compartments. The Vessel will be designed with a free running speed to not less than minimum 12 knots and fitted with two diesel Engines developing about 500HP.

Additionally, the vessel is said to be of ABS Classification Standard. This project is the second that GNIC would have completed for the Guyana Prison Service with the first being the “Godfrey J” constructed and commissioned in 2001 at a cost of $23.1M.