A United States (US) tourist is missing after the boat which he had joined for a fishing trip reportedly capsized on Tuesday morning in the Rupununi River, Region Nine.
The man has been identified as Thomas Carstens Jr.
Reports are that Carstens Jr was last seen when he left the Kanuku Eco Resort around 10.30hrs in the company of an unidentified boat captain/tour guide and another tourist for a fishing trip.
Stabroek News was informed that the trio was expected to return to the resort around 6 pm. However, after time passed and they did not, a search party journeyed along the river to look for them.
But only the boat captain/tour guide and the other tourist were seen on a large rock in the river. There was no sign of Carstens Jr.
Based on information reaching this newspaper, the duo related that while they were going up the river, the boat capsized and they were hurled into the river.
They said they began to swim during which they saw the rock and swam to safety as they waited for help.
The boat captain/tour guide and tourist noted that they did not see in which direction Carstens Jr went.
A search party which included members of the Guyana Police Force was dispatched to the area. Up to yesterday afternoon, there was no word on Carstens Jr.
Less than a month ago, Guyana-born New York policeman, Gladstone Haynes went missing during a visit to the Orinduik Falls. His body was subsequently recovered.
In a press release yesterday, the Ministry of Tourism said following the two incidents, the Government has commenced a “searching inquiry” during which the operations of all stakeholders including the relevant authorities will be examined.
According to the ministry, a “key” feature of the review is a consultation with tour operators and related regulatory agencies which is scheduled for December 13.
In the meantime, the Ministry is urging tourists to only utilize the service of operators and facilities that are authorized by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).
“…The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce would like to emphasize that persons should ensure that their tours and tour operators are approved by the Guyana Tourism Authority,” the Ministry advised.
“Tours that are unregulated and not approved by the Autho-rity many times do not have the necessary safety systems and protocols in place,” it noted.
The Ministry is also calling on the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, the Private Sector Commission and other private sector bodies to join in the call.
A list of the approved operators has been issued on the Ministry’s website and the GTA Facebook page.
Monday’s editorial in the Stabroek News criticised the ministry and other stakeholders for their silence on the Orinduik Falls death.
