Second body from boat mishap recovered; passengers were not wearing life jackets

The body of the second victim in the Essequibo River mishap was recovered on Monday by police.

Alvin Leitch called ‘Spanish Boss’ of Charlestown, Georgetown drowned along with Bartica Businessman Randy Adams when the vessel they were travelling in capsized within the vicinity of Calf Island on Saturday last.

Both men were not wearing any life jackets. This was confirmed by Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Dion Moore.

The authorities were trying to determine if all passengers onboard were wearing life jackets but up until Monday afternoon, Commander Moore told the News Room that “some of them claimed they were wearing life jackets.”

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) will now investigate whether the boat captain, 34-year-old Jermin Blackman breached any other rules.

The boat incident occurred between 18:45hrs and 19:00hrs on Saturday.

The vessel had 10 passengers onboard along with the captain and his 18-year-old bowman, Lamuel Allen.

Blackman had told police that the 10 passengers including popular entertainer Darrel Romeo called ‘Magnum’ left the Parika Stelling en route to Bartica.

During the journey, Blackman said the vessel was punctured while navigating a damaged beacon and immediately began to sink.

The captain said he attempted to sail to shore but the vessel sunk before reaching safety.

However, Adams and Leitch were not so lucky.