Boat missing as fishermen suffer another pirate attack

February 5, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under News

Detectives in the Region Two district, (Pomeroon Supernaam) have been dispatched to investigate more acts of piracy in the high seas off the tip of Guyana.
Reports emanating from law enforcement officers have confirmed that five boats were stripped of all of their equipment, while two fishermen were badly beaten, sustaining injuries to their mouth and other parts of their bodies. The injured fishermen are currently patients at the Oscar Joseph Hospital, at Charity.
Police have reported that six masked men, armed with cutlasses and guns carried out the attack.
The men, the report added, were all adorned in raincoats.
The fishermen were stripped of their boat engines, gasoline, fish, GPS system and fish glue.
Lachmi Dindyal, the wife of one of the boat owners, said that early Friday morning she received a call from a fisherman, who was fishing alongside her husband’s vessel.
She said that the man proceeded to tell her that one of her boats was missing and the seine was seen floating in the Atlantic.
Mrs. Dindayal stated that contrary to what the police was implying, she learnt that 15 boats were attacked.
Haresh, another fisherman who usually plies the Atlantic, said he did not venture out to the sea, due to the incident.
The fisherman who is a member of the Co-op Society and whose boat was robbed in December 2011 of over 1000 thousand pounds of brand new seine, said the situation involving pirates robbing fishermen at sea is a serious one, which needs immediate attention.
He said Ministers have promised to mobilize the Coastguards in the deep sea, but that is only an unfulfilled promise.
“We need more action and less talk from these politicians.”
He said that the piracy situation needs the involvement of all of the political leaders, not just one section, to augur immediate relief to suffering fishermen.
He stressed that the fishermen have already allocated a spot in Pomeroon, where police can erect a police outpost to engage with the prevalent issue.

Pirates in 15-vessel rampage near Pomeroon – batter and lock fishermen into tiny cabin – escape with catch, engines worth millions
By ZOISA FRASER | 12 COMMENTS | LOCAL | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012
Source

Pirates launched a vicious attack on 15 fishing boats off the coast of the Pomeroon, beating fishermen with cutlasses and destroying boats before escaping with millions in engines, seines, gasoline, fish and fish glue.

Stabroek News was told that in one case more than 19 fishermen were locked in the small cabin of a boat for several hours. The pirates then took them to deck and after brutalizing them some more, packed their booty into another vessel and sailed away.

After the pirates left, a passing passenger boat coming from Moruca spotted the vessel and transported two wounded fishermen to Charity where they sought medical attention. Several others were also treated for lacerations to their bodies.


Paul Lawrie

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a press release last evening that in the light of the incident, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn reported that the Maritime Search and Rescue Centre was activated and with the help of the police and army, the centre was able to rescue three persons.

Pirates, according to the release, targeted approximately 15 fishing boats in a spate of attacks which started around 08:00 hours on Friday and ended around the same time yesterday.
Benn made the announcement at a media briefing but Stabroek News had received no notification of this.

Speaking at the Maritime Administration Department’s Stabroek office, Benn, according to the release said: “the Maritime Administration and Coastguard received reports this morning of acts of piracy off the coast of the Pomeroon River going up to an area called Kamwatta Beach. The reports indicated that up to 15 boats with fisherfolk were intercepted by persons who beat them, tied them up and imprisoned them in their boats.”

Benn said that it was further reported that the pirates stole the boat engines and other materials which are yet to be determined adding that the centre was activated with Harbour Master Skeete, Pilot Tennant and Coastguard commander Porter after the situation was evaluated.


One of the victims of the piracy attack at the Charity hospital yesterday. He has been identified only as Singh of Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast.

A helicopter mission, according to the press release, was flown to the area and sunken boats were evident as well as sailors drifting east of the mouth of the Pomeroon River.

According to Benn, police launched a search yesterday morning and up to the time of the media briefing were preparing for another mission with additional resources to attempt to rescue those still adrift.

Bharrat Kalicharran, the captain of the Ms Davina, one of the vessels in the attack and two others were rescued after they were spotted by the helicopter mission.

Kalicharran told GINA that he was attacked by six masked men, two of whom boarded his boat armed with cutlasses while the others remained on their vessel. He explained to GINA that while the vessel was about 15 knots away, just off the shore of Cozier Village, they were ordered to lie face down in the boat, tied up and beaten with cutlasses before “they bruk up we boat”.
He recounted that he suffered a similar fate just over a year ago.

Benn, according to the GINA release, stated that while all the details of the attacks are unavailable, the police are not only treating the matter as a search and rescue effort but also directing their response to what they consider a criminal act.

He noted that the centre will continue to receive reports and provide coordinates for rescue attempts and will continue to lead in the effort to recover those who were affected.
The centre will also help the police to identify the perpetrators.

‘Pack like sardine’

A traumatized Paul Lawrie of Better Success told this newspaper that he along with the captain and two others were on their fishing vessel, Little in the Pomeroon River near Sommerset village when they saw another boat approaching.
The man said that the boat slammed into their vessel and they saw six men dressed in dark clothing brandishing guns and cutlasses. Lawrie said that four of the men jumped onto his boat and instructed them to jump into the other boat. There, the man related he was beaten mercilessly. He said he was beaten in his head, back, shoulder and mouth with a cutlass.

He said he and his fellow crew members were then forced into the cabin of that vessel where there were also other fishermen who had been kidnapped by the men. According to Lawrie, the cabin can only accommodate about five people.

The pirates he said nailed up the door of the cabin and as they attacked other fishing vessels more and more fishermen were forced inside. “Eventually the cabin get so full, we hardly coulda breathe. It din pack like sardine,” the man related. He said it got so bad that one man fainted.

“After a long while they open de door and call we out and beat we more. They tell we that we must lay down on we face and nah watch dem,” he said adding that they had no choice but to obey the men since they were armed.

He said he got the bulk of the lashes from the men who stated that he was too stubborn.

Lawrie, who has been working at sea for over three years, said the pirates who fled in a bigger boat left them drifting. The vessel ended up at the mouth of the Pomeroon River and eventually they got assistance from a passing vessel. The pirates left a bucket of bread behind for them, he said.

The man said that in his years at sea this is the first attack he has suffered. He said that in the light of the ordeal he is unsure of his next move. “I am afraid [to go back] because they almost beat me to death. I never went to jail yah know but meh think this punishment din worse than jail. They were cruelmen,” he said.

The man pleaded for a police station to be built at the mouth of the Pomeroon River opining that if this is done police would be able to respond to reports faster.

Meanwhile, the captain of Little, Ghandharna Dashu, called `Key Key’ told this newspaper that this is the second attack he has suffered. Dashu who is also the owner of the vessel recounted a similar ordeal. The man said that when the boat transporting the pirates slammed into his, the vessel was so badly damaged that it eventually sank.

He said the men destroyed his engine before throwing it overboard but took the other valuables including his catch.

The man recalled that while they were in the cabin one of the bandits took a bowl of water for them. “We had a cup so everybody had to tek lil bit, lil bit”. According to him more fishermen were being held captive on the deck of the vessel.

He estimated his losses to be about $1.7 million saying that he now has to get a new boat. Asked if he is going to be returning to sea, the man said that he had no choice since “dat is meh only income and meh got three pickney fuh mine”.

The Better Success resident said he was still feeling the effects of the beating he endured. He was treated at the hospital and later sent home.

Chief Fisheries Officer, Denzil Roberts, told this newspaper that he received a report that boats had been attacked some time between Friday and yesterday morning. He was unable to say how many vessels but knew there were a lot.

The Coastguard and the police, he said, were informed of the situation and teams were dispatched to search for the men. He said the exact number of boats targeted was unclear because reports were still being received.

He confirmed that about 19 men had been locked in the cabin of a boat by the pirates.

Comprehensive response

Contacted, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, in response to questions regarding the safety of fisherfolk, told Stabroek News that there has to be a comprehensive response led by the security forces. He said his ministry has no jurisdiction on security matters but was trying to establish certain things, for example the licensing of all fishing vessels.

He noted that his ministry can only play an advisory role. The minister explained that the licence was important because “we need to know who is going out there”. It was also recommended in the past that tracking devices be placed on all vessels, he said.

He said that most boats are not registered.

The fishermen are saying that the police need to patrol the area, however I wonder if they are in favor of financing the policing of the fishing grounds via taxes? Police can not be everywhere at all times. The cost of warding off the pirates must be borne by the fishermen instead of putting this responsibility on govt with its limited resources.

quote:

Originally posted by Noel:
Pirates attack 20 fishermen off Essequibo Coast
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Saturday, 04 February 2012 11:48

Investigators say the eight pirates were all Indo-Guyanese..

.

hmmm. Sledge, yuji, druggie and all the other black hating racists on GNI. READ!!!

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

quote:

Originally posted by Noel:
Pirates attack 20 fishermen off Essequibo Coast
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Saturday, 04 February 2012 11:48

Investigators say the eight pirates were all Indo-Guyanese..

.

hmmm. Sledge, yuji, druggie and all the other black hating racists on GNI. READ!!!

Is wy you dragging Sledge in diss race sludge. Dem gatt nuff coolie bandits out deh, wutliss no ass, dem need some good wallap. Mi always seh, mi gatt nuff afro frenns and a lil dugla gyal.

Those gilbakas the pirates stole from the fisherman could end up in the markets of Richmond Hill where the price is a whopping $8 per lb.

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:
The fishermen are saying that the police need to patrol the area, however I wonder if they are in favor of financing the policing of the fishing grounds via taxes? Police can not be everywhere at all times. The cost of warding off the pirates must be borne by the fishermen instead of putting this responsibility on govt with its limited resources.

Dah natt gon wuk bai. Abie need lil mo "citizen" patroll. Police gafa gatt relations wid da villages and gett info weh baad bai deh. People dozz know but nobady a tell police cazz no bady nah trust no bady.

Guyanese fishermen are not too different from the steretypical canecutter who can act like a god on the day he receives his back pay. These people are crude and ignorant and always demand gov't do everything without they getting involved. It's sad but true.

quote:

Originally posted by Sledgehammer:
. Dem gatt nuff coolie bandits out deh, wutliss no ass, dem need some good wallap. .

Yet you whine all day about getting beaten by blacks.....or maybe you just hope this happens to you.

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:
The cost of warding off the pirates must be borne by the fishermen instead of putting this responsibility on govt with its limited resources.

Here is what I suggest. Tell your town that they dont need cops and when bandits hit your house deal with them.

A team comprising members of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard (CG) will be meeting with the fishermen who were recently attacked by pirates in the Pomeroon River on February 2.
Martime Department, Harbour Master, Velton Skeete said that discussions at this meeting will focus on the way forward with regards to ensuring that fishing, the livelihood of a significant number of people in Guyana, is done in a more protected manner; key among which is the provision of better security with the establishment of a structured check-in-point.
The Maritime Department continues to focus on the matter; while the police are gathering information from the rescued men, who are cooperating and providing details with regards to what transpired.
All of the fishermen are accounted for; 15 were rescued and no lives were lost but two boats were badly wrecked in the attack. Nevertheless, another aerial reconnaissance was conducted in the Pomeroon River to determine whether more fishermen were stranded, but none was spotted.
Skeete added that the implementation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) on fishing boats is also being considered so as to be able to identify the location of fishing crews in the event of an incident such as a pirate attack. This will enable the relevant authorities to respond more promptly and efficiently.

source

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:



Here is what I suggest. Tell your town that they dont need cops and when bandits hit your house deal with them.

Providing security on the high seas over a vast territory with moving targets is much different than providing security to a stationary home. Besides, if the bandits want to hit a home there is very little the homeowner or police can do since the police can't be everyplace at the same time.
Look how little the US and other nations can do against the low tech Somali pirates. Now quit your usual mindless nonsense and engage in critical thinking for a change.

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

quote:

Originally posted by Sledgehammer:
. Dem gatt nuff coolie bandits out deh, wutliss no ass, dem need some good wallap. .

Yet you whine all day about getting beaten by blacks.....or maybe you just hope this happens to you.

nah bai, mi gatt mi goons.

quote:

Originally posted by Sledgehammer:
nah bai, mi gatt mi goons.

who beat you up for your pleasure. How much do you pay them to do this?

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:
.
Look how little the US and other nations can do against the low tech Somali pirates.

They cant because it is up to Somalia to deal with that problem. The bandits are baeed in Somalia. Do you want Lucas crying about how "evil" white people invaded a thrid world nation?


If you have a home invasion and bandits line you and your wife and your kids with guns to your heads and pistol whip you the next day you will by screaming about how you pay taxes and so demand to be protected.

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:
.
Look how little the US and other nations can do against the low tech Somali pirates.

They cant because it is up to Somalia to deal with that problem. The bandits are baeed in Somalia. Do you want Lucas crying about how "evil" white people invaded a thrid world nation?


If you have a home invasion and bandits line you and your wife and your kids with guns to your heads and pistol whip you the next day you will by screaming about how you pay taxes and so demand to be protected.

Yuh rass stupid or wah. America dozz captire dem an tek dem to amerca witout talking to any Somali Govt caazz dem aint gatt none. Dem a bandits an' ah attak international shippin, natt Somali, so dah talk yuh mek nah hold waata. Mi tink yuh head need lil exam.

quote:

A team comprising members of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard (CG) will be meeting with the fishermen who were recently attacked by pirates in the Pomeroon River on February 2.
Martime Department, Harbour Master, Velton Skeete said that discussions at this meeting will focus on the way forward with regards to ensuring that fishing, the livelihood of a significant number of people in Guyana, is done in a more protected manner; key among which is the provision of better security with the establishment of a structured check-in-point.
The Maritime Department continues to focus on the matter; while the police are gathering information from the rescued men, who are cooperating and providing details with regards to what transpired.
All of the fishermen are accounted for; 15 were rescued and no lives were lost but two boats were badly wrecked in the attack. Nevertheless, another aerial reconnaissance was conducted in the Pomeroon River to determine whether more fishermen were stranded, but none was spotted.
Skeete added that the implementation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) on fishing boats is also being considered so as to be able to identify the location of fishing crews in the event of an incident such as a pirate attack. This will enable the relevant authorities to respond more promptly and efficiently.

source

steps has been put into place to ensure those acts of piracy does not re-occur

STEPS??? What derass, they put steps in the water for slow up dem boys?


What "steps" albert?