| Government has admitted that enforcement in the hinterland’s waterways remains a major problem and unveiled a number of measures to increase safety.The remains of one of the boat.Ten bodies were recovered after a horrific two-boat collision in the Mazaruni River last Tuesday afternoon. It was the second crash since December and the death toll from both has climbed to 16 for the year…a terrible start for regulators.Yesterday, Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, blamed the accident partly on speed. The accident was also due to the failure of both speedboats to observe anti-collision measures that included right-of-way.The deaths, always a “distressing” one for government, could also have been greatly reduced had more of the passengers been wearing life jackets, Benn said.Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the government regulator for vessels, is now stepping up its checks to ensure vessels are fully certified and licensed.Investigators last week found that one of the vessels was equipped by two 200-horsepower (HP) engines while the other had two 75-horsepower engines. The approach speed of the two vessels was in excess of 100 miles per hour, he said. The incident occurred at a ‘blind turn’ in the vicinity of Crab Falls, Mazaruni. The boats should have slowed. None of them did. The result was that the front of one of the boats was obliterated.The Minister said that certification may now hinge on the size of the engines.With increased activities in the mining districts, the use of speedboats has become a necessity and is posing a major challenge for MARAD. Cargo boats in especially Bartica, Region Seven area have been proven to be problematic as far as compliance is concerned, the Minister said.MARAD was in the process of its increased activities for re-certification and re-licensing when the collision occurred last Tuesday.According to the Transport Minister, MARAD has captains in strategic locations and they liaise with the department on issues.New inspectorsAdmitting that MARAD needs resources, Benn said that since last year,Cheap Adidas Superstar Shoes, some 20 persons were under training with half of them to become inspectors and the rest as captains for the larger, government-owned ferries and vessels. The training is expected to be completed within four months and they will be deployed to the critical areas.Benn also signaled a greater role from the speedboat associations which have operations between the Parika/Supenaam area and at Bartica,Off White Air Max 97 For Sale, among other points.The associations will now have to conduct monthly safety meetings and nominate a representative to liaise with MARAD. Quarterly meetings with the associations will also become mandatory, Benn said.Regarding the accident, the Minister disclosed that the findings so far are disturbing.Transport Minister,Nike Air Max 95, Robeson BennWith one of the laden vessels coming down from the rapids and around a bend, it was clear that safety protocols were not observed.The Minister also said that it was clear that many of the passengers were not wearing life-jackets which effectively, could up to “90 per cent” of the times save lives. There are also questions whether there were enough life jackets on board. With the cost of each jacket at $4,000, the official made it clear that safety measures were not followed.He called for a concerted effort from even family members and friends to ensure that more awareness is brought to the fore about the importance of life jackets.On Saturday, the search and rescue team in the Mazaruni River recovered yet another body which has since been identified as that of Ricky Bobb of Barr Street, Kitty. The recovery has taken the death toll to ten.Circling carrionsOn Friday the team recovered the bodies of, Kevon Ambrose of, Vergenoegen, East Bank, Essequibo; Deon Moses, 33 of Norton Street, Georgetown; Keanu Amsterdam, 17,Air Max 90 Black And White Womens, of Barr Street Kitty; and Francisco Alves, a Brazilian national.The team had earlier recovered the remains of Jermaine Calistro, 27,Air Max 97 Undefeated White, of Boodhoo Housing Scheme,Nike Air Max 2018 Shoes, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); Ulric Grimes, 39, of Salem, EBE; Christopher Narine, 21, of Parika, EBE; and Zahir Baksh, 34, of Kaneville; EBD, Christopher Narine, and 52-year-old Jewan Seeram.The bodies were found not far from each other and the crash site.Benn yesterday said that circling carrion crows led searchers to some of the bodies.Involved in the search were members of the Joint Services, MARAD, miners and public-spirited individuals.Initial reports are that one boat carrying passengers was coming out from one location while another laden with fuel was heading in the opposite direction. Benn had reported that the two boats, one with 12 passengers and another, collided around 12:30 hours on Tuesday. (Leonard Gildarie) |
