Dale Yipsam, a 39-year-old boat captain, has announced his intention to step away from the fishing industry following a harrowing experience during a recent expedition. In an interview with the News Room, Dale recounted the frightening events that unfolded on February 25 when he and four crew members embarked on a 15-day fishing journey from Meadow Bank landing site, starting their work in the Demerara River.
On Tuesday, around 13:00 hours, while trying to access the engine room, Dale was struck by a massive wave that severely damaged the boat. He described how the wave knocked 37-year-old Ryan Robert, known as “Blue Shirt,” overboard. Fortunately, a seine that had fallen on the deck provided Ryan with the means to pull himself back onto the vessel, though he later reported injuries to his feet.
As water flooded the boat, Dale directed his crew to grab onto anything they could find to stay afloat. Amid the chaos, he tied a rope around Ryan to keep him secure despite the tumultuous waters. Dale recalled, “The ice box remained visible, and I urged everyone to cling onto it.” They floated for hours, approximately 10 miles off the Abbary River, attempting to help Ryan as conditions worsened.
“We had him, and then one big wave came and lashed him off the ice box, and that was the disappearance of him,” Dale explained, visibly shaken by the memory. After regrouping, the remaining crew members realized Ryan was missing. They clung to the ice box until they spotted another vessel about five miles away and signaled for help. Assistance arrived around 6:00 hours on Wednesday.
Following their rescue, Dale and his crew filed a report at the Mahaicony Police Station and sought medical treatment for minor injuries at Mahaicony Public Hospital. He, a father of two, has been involved in fishing for over ten years, yet this was his inaugural trip as a captain—and he never anticipated facing such a tragedy.
“It wasn’t a nice experience, and I don’t want to experience it again,” Dale expressed. “That night, drifting in the water with no rescue in sight, I was praying to God that I wouldn’t feel that way again. I’ve decided to quit this work; it’s not going to work out for me anymore. Everything keeps replaying back.”
Dale emphasized the trauma he experienced, stating, “I don’t even want to see that water again. I can’t touch it.” He noted that prior to the incident, they had caught over 100 snapper and various other fish, but they were lost in the chaos.
Meanwhile, family members of Ryan Robert have organized a search party to locate him, holding onto hope for his safe return.
