By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Five persons are missing, while 32 others were rescued after two boats collided in the Gulf of Paria, near Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas, on Sunday evening.
And the Coast Guard divers, with the assistance of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Air Support Unit, are searching the waters for the missing persons.
Also joining the search on Monday morning was the Hunters Search and Rescue team, headed by Vallence Rambharat. Their members were conducting foot and sea patrols along the Chaguaramas coastline.
The missing persons were identified as Ameer Mohammed, Keeana Seechan, Lorenzo Oliver, Anil Ahye, and someone known only as Tobias.
Six other persons were rushed to the St James Medical Complex by Coast Guard ambulance with their injuries were reported as non life-threatening.
They were identified as Marcus Seechan, Isreal Ahey, Joanne Beard, Doriel Ryan, Khalil Williams, and Andre Henry.
The captain of the Coral Dream from Pontoon Tours TT, in a Facebook Post, said he was just leaving Turtle Bay when he noticed the collision between two pirogues.
He added, “One pirogue immediately went airborne and I just saw people in the water all over. We immediately turned towards the incident. We were about 50 to 60 feet away from the collision. I immediately signaled to my crew to get life jackets and life rings ready. My crew threw life rings and life jackets out to the people in the water.
“Some of them unfortunately were unable to swim so my deck hand, Jacob Salandy dive into the water and pulled them towards the life rings and brought them on board as quickly as we can. One of the guys had a serious laceration to his head. Our crew administered first aid as best as we could and with the help of one of our guests and his team we were able to bring everybody on board.”
The captain said they contacted the Coast Guard and then took the injured persons to Staubles Bay, where they were sent to the hospital.
According to police reports, two vessels collided around 6.30 pm on Sunday, resulting in a number of passengers being thrown into the sea. One of the vessels, it was reported, was heading to a party.
A report was made to the Coast Guard who launched a search and rescue mission along with the TTPS’ Air Support Unit.
According to police reports, the collision involved a 28-foot Bowen pleasure craft named Bambaleo, captained by Richard Yousef, and a 29-foot Chantelle vessel named Belbagai, captained by Mattique Fereira.
Police said the Bambaleo was travelling east near Point Cannings when it collided with the Belbagai, which was heading west. As a result of the impact, the Belbagai sank.
Eight persons from the Belbagai were brought to Staubles Bay, while six people required medical attention. Five others remain missing. All 18 persons aboard the Bambaleo were brought safely ashore.
After the collision, other vessels assisted in transporting the injured persons to Staubles Bay.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard confirmed the incident in the media release.
Police and Coast Guard officials are conducting an investigation.
