Emergency repairs were affected to the Three Friends Sea Sluice door on the Essequibo Coast yesterday morning after it was damaged by a fishing boat and the current spring tide in the area.

A release from the Ministry of Agriculture said an unnamed fishing vessel drifted into the sluice and this coupled with the high tide severely damaged one of the two doors.

The release said action was immediately taken by the relevant authorities and the breach was sealed and this reduced further damage in the area, which included rice plots and residential areas.

According to the release, Regional Chairman of Region Two Ali Baksh, reported that stop-logs will be placed to seal the breach when the tide recedes, while a pre-fabricated door was expected to be installed later yesterday.

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud has deployed an engineer from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) head office to inspect on going works at the site, while the Guyana Rice Development Board has been instructed to undertake an assessment of any damage to crops.

The release said that the Ministry of Public Works’ Sea Defence Unit has also been alerted.