Mazaruni Prison gets $10.9M emergency response boat

The Mazaruni Prison on Tuesday received a newly constructed emergency response boat compliments of the Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC). The vessel was constructed to the tune of $10.9M.

The Director of Prison (ag) Gladwin Samuels says the boat will assist the Mazaruni Prison in effectively responding to emergencies.

Chief Executive Officer for GNIC, Clinton Samuels officially handed over the keys of the two-hertz power engine boat to Mr Samuels at the company’s wharf in Georgetown.

A total of 14 persons can be accommodated at once on the boat including the captain and crew.

The Prison Director noted that the Mazaruni prison is currently being expanded and part of the expansion includes the need for emergency response mechanism.

“I am confident that with the addition of this vessel to the Mazaruni prison, it will significantly boost the capacity or capability at the location, especially as it relates to responding to emergencies,” the Prison Director said.

According to Mr Samuels, over the years the Prison Service acquired a number of emergency response speedboats but because of the wood and fibreglass material, they deteriorated rapidly.

“Because the first phase of Mazaruni Prison is going to be completed before the end of the year, which will see an addition of 200 prisoners going to that facility, it is only necessary that we plan ahead and ensure that the necessary resources are in place.”

The GNIC in December 2017 donated the first cargo and passenger vessel to the Guyana Prison Service.

The vessel, M.V Troy W was named after Troy Williams, a prison officer who was killed during the 2002 prison break at Camp Street.