As rescue and recovery teams continue searching for passengers and crew of the capsized MV Barima, a Soesdyke mother is desperately waiting for word on her eight-year-old son, Vishawn Ramjattan, who was travelling to Port Kaituma to spend the holidays with his grandmother.
Vishawn, of Lot B Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was reportedly aboard the vessel with relatives when it encountered distress and later capsized.
His mother, Alissa Valenzuela, told Sheriff News Network that her son had been excited about the trip, which was meant to be a holiday visit to his grandmother.
“My son was just happy that he was going,” the distraught mother said.
According to Valenzuela, Vishawn was initially to travel by plane, but because he has asthma, plans changed. He later decided to travel by boat with relatives, including Vanitta George, Sunil George, Yasmine George and Miguel Dejesus Mata.
“He wants to go with them because he and the little girl are close… they’re always playing,” she recalled.
Valenzuela said her son was wearing black jeans, a black jersey with blue on the front, and blue-and-black boots when he travelled.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, earlier this evening, confirmed that the location of the MV Barima was positively identified after coordinated efforts by several agencies and stakeholders. The vessel was found resting on the seabed, close to the initial point of distress reported by the Air Traffic Control tower, nine miles offshore Devonshire Castle Flats.
The Prime Minister confirmed that 69 persons, including passengers and crew, have been rescued. He also said that 27 bodies have been recovered so far.
The latest reports suggest that an additional 83 persons are still to be found.
The Government said support has come from local fisherfolk, ExxonMobil Guyana, VESHI using Sealand Survey’s Gilligan Island survey vessel, and international partners.
The Government of France, through the French Armed Forces, has deployed 15 divers to join local dive teams at the confirmed vessel site, while additional search and dive support is expected from Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ministry of Health and the Guyana Police Force have also established protocols for the processing, transport and storage of the deceased. Families are expected to be invited to undertake identification procedures at the Suddie Hospital.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains operational, and authorities say rescue and recovery efforts will continue.
