A fishing boat owned by Sherilyn Bhagwandin was engulfed in flames early Wednesday morning, with authorities suspecting arson as the cause of the fire.
Sherilyn, 36, received the alarming news from another boat owner at the Adventure landing site. Accompanied by her husband, Manie Bhagwandin, who captained the vessel, they arrived at the location around 8:00 AM to assess the damage.
After investigating the incident, Sherilyn reported her findings at the Whim Police Station, expressing serious concerns over the destruction of her family’s livelihood. “It’s affecting me because this is what my husband does. I have three children; this is all we depend on,” she stated.
The couple employed four crew members who relied on the boat for regular fishing trips. They had just returned from their last excursion on November 1st and were scheduled to head out again on November 5th.
The boat was equipped with a 60 Yamaha engine, 2,000-pound seines, an icebox, and a gasoline drum, all of which were irreparably damaged in the fire. Manie lamented the loss, saying, “Long me work sea, me and nobody never get no problem.”
The couple estimates the damages at approximately 8 million dollars and is urging police to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for the crime. As they confront the reality of their extensive losses, they are now considering alternative sources of income.
Thom Fernandez, the acting Berbice Divisional Fire Officer, confirmed that firefighters from the Rose Hall Town Fire Station responded swiftly to the emergency, managing to contain the blaze and prevent further damage. Following their investigations, Fernandez stated that the fire was intentionally set.
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