Miss Shivita 2, the vessel that sank in the Waini River just over a week ago, was found to be overloaded, a Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) official has said.
The MARAD official, who asked not to be named, told Stabroek News that the finding was noted in the report of the investigation into the sinking of the cargo vessel, which sank while entering the Waini River at approximately 4 am last Sunday.
The vessel’s owner, Vijaimatie Balak, of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, reportedly met with officials from MARAD yesterday.
The boat, which was loaded with groceries and other items, departed from a wharf in Georgetown on the afternoon of November 24th.
Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley told Stabroek News that based on information he received, the vessel was in the vicinity of the river mouth and experienced some difficulty while navigating its way around a mudflat and that led to the capsizing.
MARAD, in a notice to mariners, has advised navigating the Waini River mouth with caution.
In the notice, it was stated that the cargo vessel sank approximately 4 nautical miles from the mouth of the Waini River, East of the Waini Mouth Access channel in a chartered depth of 2.2 meters.
It was noted that the hull of the vessel is visible at high spring tide.
The mishap has resulted in businesses in Port Kaituma and neighbouring communities suffering millions in losses.
