Authorities have launched a coordinated search and rescue operation after a tanker barge transporting molasses sank early Monday morning off the East Coast of Demerara.
The tanker barge sank approximately 9.5 nautical miles off Buxton, East Coast Demerara, leaving two crew members missing and prompting an urgent multi-agency search and rescue operation.
The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) reported that it received a distress signal at around 01:00 hrs regarding the sinking of the tanker barge TRADER III.
At the time of the incident, the vessel was transporting a cargo of molasses from Berbice to Georgetown.
According to MARAD, two crew members who were aboard the vessel are currently unaccounted for.
Following the distress communication, emergency response operations were immediately activated to locate the missing individuals.
MARAD’s Emergency Operations Coordinator, Captain John Flores, is leading the search and rescue effort. The operation is being supported by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard as well as the vessel’s owner.
Authorities have not yet released further details on the circumstances surrounding the sinking. The search operation remains ongoing as crews continue efforts to locate the missing men.