On Sunday morning, Elbert Jack (jr.), who was rescued on Saturday and was treated for dehydration at the Mabaruma hospital, Region One was brought to the city by aircraft. He was accompanied by his father. The crewman who was still in shock managed to express his gratitude to all those who were involved in the search.
“I’m just happy to be found and alive. I just want to go home to my family and get some rest,” he told the Government Information Agency.Meanwhile, his father lauded the work of the rescue team and Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn for his leadership in ensuring that no stone was left unturned as they searched for the four crewmen of the vessel Chrisann vi which encountered difficulties enroute to Region One as it was tugging a barge with mining equipment four days ago.
“I would like to thank all the persons who contributed to saving my son’s life….I am very grateful to the Minister and Mr. Gerry Gouveia, of Roraima Airways, the harbour Master, Mr. Porter from the Guyana Defence Force and everyone else that worked assiduously in the rescue,” he said. To date, seven of the crew members were found and the search continues for Captain John Van Sluytman and Julian Garraway.
On Sunday morning the search mission rescued 17 year-old Deochand Massidas who was found near Kamwatta beach and was taken for treatment at the Charity hospital. The search party comprising the Guyana Defence Force coast guard, Maritime Administration and the owner of the dredging equipment that was being transported to Region One when disaster struck, located 17 year-old Deochand Massidas known as Speedy. He was immediately transported to the Charity Hospital for dehydration treatment.
Massidass’ mother Surani Singh who spoke to her son by telephone today has since travelled to Charity to check on her son and is expecting to take him home later that day. he teenager was among four crewmen that went missing after the boat they were on, the Chrissann began leaking. The vessel was tugging a barge with euipment when the incident occurred four days ago. GINA-Government Information Agency spoke with Massidass sister, Nairmala, who said that she answered the when her brother called this morning to inform them that he was found but did not recognize his voice because it sounded different. Nairmala said, “I’m very excited, happy and thankful that my brother is alive.
Harbour Master Volton Skeetee underscored how important it is that vessels be equipped with proper safety equipment as it was the safety ring that enabled Massidass to remain afloat and eventually to be found.
