MARAD probing sinking of vessel

The Guyana-registered General Cargo Vessel ‘STOLLIE 1”, which was bound for Port Kaituma, North West District, sank between the entrance of the Pomeroon and Waini Rivers on Saturday and this is now being investigated by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).

MARAD in a statement today said that the vessel left Georgetown at 06:00 hours on Friday with a consignment of general cargo. There were four crew members on board.

According to the initial investigation, MARAD said the M.V. STOLLIE 1 is believed to have sunk after its engines failed and it became disabled. Cargo apparently shifted, thus causing the vessel to list heavily before it began to take in water and sank.

The captain and crew safely evacuated the sinking vessel with their lifesaving equipment and they were rescued by a passing vessel some 12 hours later, MARAD said.

This incident is now being probed by the Maritime Administration Department.