The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) said that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines registered cargo vessel that capsized in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago last weekend has drifted into Venezuelan waters as the search continues for five of the missing crewmen.
In a statement, the TTCG said that the search and rescue operation on Monday had resulted in the MV Fair Chance being towed into shallow and calmer waters. However, due to the size and weight of the vessel, these attempts were unsuccessful. Consequently, the vessel drifted some distance into Venezuelan waters.
Search continues for missing crewmen of capsized St. Vincent registered vessel
“This operation is challenging and taking some time because the vessel is partially submerged whilst being upside down, sea conditions are rough, and the direction of the tow is against the predominantly western current,” the TTCG said in the statement.
It said the plan was to take the boat into the calmer and shallower waters of the Gulf of Paria so divers could start searching inside the overturned vessel for the missing crew, identified as captain Dexter Chance, Owen Prescott, Quincy Baptistem, Eric Calliste and Devon Celestine.
The MV Fair Chance had been loaded with steel and had just departed Trinidad en route to St Vincent and the Grenadines when the incident occurred on Saturday.
The TTCG said the MV Fair Chance capsized approximately five nautical miles north of Monos Island and that the members of the crew are from Carriacou, Grenada, and Union Island, one of the Grenadines islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“Two of the seven people on board were rescued by a passing vessel and taken to Staubles Bay for medical treatment,” the TTCG added.
Member of Parliament for Southern Grenadines Terrance Ollivierre said the Union Island community was in mourning and heartbroken having heard of the tragic incident.
Source- CMC
