Captain, crew members caught stealing prawns from Pritipaul Singh vessel

A captain and four crew members were caught stealing five baskets of prawns, worth approximately $2 million, while operating a vessel belonging to Pritipaul Singh Investments Inc. at sea.

The men departed Georgetown on March 6 and returned on March 15. The incident, captured on surveillance cameras installed on the vessel, occurred on March 14.

According to information gathered by the News Room, the theft came to light when the footage was reviewed upon the vessel’s return—a protocol consistent with company rules.

Upon review, the men were seen placing baskets filled with prawns from their catch down the ice hole and into the cabin. They subsequently passed the baskets into the sea, presumably to a small boat.

An official from Pritipaul Singh Investments told the News Room that the company’s safety coordinator took a statement from the captain, who reportedly admitted to stealing and selling the prawns.

The official stated an attempt was made to file a report at the Providence Police Station, but they were advised that the report had to be filed closer to where the incident occurred.

Incidents like this, the official noted, place considerable strain on the company’s business operations.