The two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) acquired Bell helicopters were not used to search for survivors in the recent Corentyne River boat tragedy because they are not equipped to fly over water, according to Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best.

Commodore Best was asked at last Friday’s joint press conference he held with acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene why the two helicopters were not used to look for survivors following the capsizing of the boat, which caused the deaths of six people.

Stating first that everything was fine with the two helicopters, the army head said no request was made for the helicopters to be used during the tragedy, but even if a request were made they would not have been dispatched.

He explained that helicopters that fly closely over water have “floats” built into them; something the two helicopters do not have. Best said that without the floats any decision to have the helicopter fly closely over water could endanger the life of the pilot.

It was late last month when the Sevi 2 capsized in the Corentyne River and six people died. One passenger, Sherry Haynes, floated in the river for 36 hours before she found land while crewmember Leslie Austin swam ashore the same day of the tragedy

Those who died were captain and owner of the boat, Roy Ramdass; Indranie ‘Birdlady’ Motiram, 49, of Crabwood Creek; Drupatie Bahagiloo called Nalini Ganpat, 45, of Hampshire, Corentyne, Ena Hope of Reno Hotel at Number 78 Village, Sheila Gonsalves  and Henry Gonsalves.

The boat was originally hired to take the sisters, Sherry Haynes and Sheila Gonsavles, along with their nephew, Henry and their friend, Ena Hope of Reno Hotel at Number 78 Village where the siblings had stayed.