Four detained over pirate attack in Pomeroon River

Four persons have been arrested and are in police custody following a brazen morning pirate attack on a fishing crew in the Pomeroon River yesterday.

Police sources last evening told Stabroek News that a fishing crew was fishing in the mouth of the Pomeroon River when they saw a strange boat rapidly heading in their direction. Suspecting a pirate attack, the crew, they said, alerted their boss, an Essequibo Coast businessman, who in turn contacted Maritime officials, as the crew sped toward the bank of the river where they abandoned their boat and catch. On their return with the police it was found that the pirates had taken not only their catch but fuel that was in boat. Their losses are believed to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Subsequently,  around 2pm yesterday, police arrested four men in a boat who were on the waterway in proximity to where the boat was found abandoned. They are currently at the Charity Police Station assisting with investigations.

Police Public Relations Officer, John Sauers last evening confirmed the attack but stated that details were still sketchy.

Several efforts to contact Minister of Public Works and Transport, Robeson Benn, personnel at the Maritime Agency and the Coastguard as to their roles in the capturing of the men proved futile.

In February of this year, just off the Essequibo Coast, as many as 15 boats were attacked and crew members severely beaten as they were robbed. At one point a large number of fishermen were locked in the hold of one of the vessels. More than 20 fishermen had to be rescued then from the sea after they were left to drift. There was further tragedy when a boat going to the aid of the battered fishermen capsized off of Suddie and four men died. That incident led to several fishermen protesting first at Mon Repos and then in front of the Office of the President demanding that sea security be increased by both the coastguard and the police. As a result of their protest action, they met with the President and had discussed security at sea. The president had promised to address their concerns.

Discussions on having legislation drafted to require vessels to be equipped with homing devices and radios were held. However, many of the fishermen say that the US$200 ($40,000) price tag was too expensive for the telecommunication and homing devices.