Captain of army vessel in custody, search still on for Pomeroon man

The Captain of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) vessel which was involved in the accident with a civilian boat on the Pomeroon River Monday night is in Police custody, while the three other GDF ranks are in the custody of a senior army officer.

This is according to Regional Commander, Woman Superintendent Crystal Robinson who told the News Room Wednesday that the search is still ongoing for Ryan Khayum and his boat in the Pomeroon River.

The four army men were seen drinking at the Charity wharf before they left in an army vessel and crashed into another boat on the Pomeroon River Monday night, sending all four passengers overboard.

Khayum, his wife Chandanie and two workmen were returning home after selling provisions and coconuts on the Essequibo Coast when the GDF vessel collided with them at about 21:00hrs.

Chandanie received injuries to the head and arms while one of the workmen who were pinned under the boat was also injured. She is in a stable condition at the Charity Hospital.

Relatives also alleged that the GDF vessel had no headlights and according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the ranks are only allowed on the river at night if there is an emergency or operation.

The soldiers usually go out to Charity, which has its big market day on Mondays, to buy supplies for the others on the Army’s floating base at the mouth of the Pomeroon River.

The base was set up in late 2012 to help the security forces in fighting rampant piracy in the region.

The GDF in a statement said a Board of Inquiry has been launched to investigate the accident.