This is according to Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill who has responsibility for the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) – the agency which was initially apprised of the situation.
At around 14:04hrs, MARAD received information that a small open boat, with supposedly lifeless bodies onboard was drifting at sea, approximately 112 nautical miles from Georgetown.
The origin of the vessel and the nationality of the persons onboard remain unknown. It is also unclear how many bodies were onboard.
Efforts were being made yesterday to bring the boat to shore, however those were unsuccessful.
Minister Edghill explained that at the “break of light” this morning, two boats were deployed from a location in Region One (Barima-Waini) in search of the vessel with dead bodies.
The boat comprised of members of the Coast Guard, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), as well as civilians who are familiar with the area.
The team is equipped with satellite phones and they are expected to provide an update on the situation later this afternoon.
The Ministry of Public Works had noted that this is a highly sensitive and delicate operation and all necessary precaution are being adhere to.
