An abandoned vessel suspected to be from French Guiana was discovered on Sunday just off the coast of Berbice by a group of local fishermen on a trawler.

The vessel, which is green in colour, was found by the fishermen drifting in the Atlantic Ocean west of the coast of Berbice. The vessel has the markings “Marfret Compagnie Maritime” as well as “Guyane” in addition to several other logos on it.  The boat also contains two solar panels. A crew member told this newspaper that when the vessel was discovered it had been ransacked.

However, another source close to the situation disputed this version. According to this source, the vessel was unoccupied at the time of the discovery but contained several bottles of water and a gas stove among other commodities.   Documentation allegedly pertaining to the boat was also found this newspaper was told.

According to reports, the fishermen towed the vessel alongside the trawler to Vreed-en-Hoop and arrived yesterday morning, where another vessel towed it to the Zeelugt foreshore, where it was left unattended. Reports are that while the fishermen went to make a report at the Leonora Police station, the vessel was ransacked.   The crew members were then taken into custody and were released sometime yesterday afternoon. Police are investigating the matter. Stabroek News was unable to ascertain whether contact has been made with the authorities in French Guiana.