Venezuelan Diver Dies During Essequibo River Salvage Operation

According to the Guyana Times, Luis Martinez, a 66-year-old Venezuelan national employed as a diver, died after failing to resurface during a diving operation in the Essequibo River, situated approximately 10 nautical miles off Anna Regina in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). Martinez was part of a crew engaged in an operation intended to refloat a vessel when the incident took place on Wednesday.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) indicated that Martinez left Kingston Wharf, Georgetown, around 17:14hrs aboard a vessel accompanied by several other crew members to take part in the operation. Upon reaching the designated area, Martinez reportedly entered the water to conduct diving activities. However, after about 20 minutes, he did not resurface, which caused concern among the remaining crew members.

The crew subsequently utilized a rope attached to Martinez’s body to bring him up from the water. Reports indicated that he was retrieved in a motionless state and was frothing at the mouth. He was then transported to the Transport and Harbours Department Wharf at Stabroek, Georgetown, where ambulance personnel were called. A doctor on duty pronounced Martinez deceased at approximately 02:30hrs on Thursday, October 29.

Police stated that an examination of the body showed no signs of violence on the exposed areas. His remains were later taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where they are awaiting a post-mortem examination. The vessel involved in the incident and the specifics of the salvaging operation have not been identified or released by the police.

This event occurs as Guyana awaits the recovery of the MV Barima, which sank and capsized on July 18, leading to the loss of approximately 100 lives. The Guyana Times previously reported on October 8 that salvage operations to recover the vessel might begin before the end of October, following the confirmation that BK International had been awarded the contract. During a preliminary public hearing of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) concerning the tragedy, forensic naval architect Dr Andrzej Jastrzenowski, a member of the commission, mentioned meeting with the preferred salvage team to discuss evidence preservation and the recovery operation. He had suggested the operation could start within days, though no confirmed start date was provided.

The commission is currently reviewing various elements of the tragedy, including the vessel’s cargo arrangements, passenger capacity, loading procedures, stability, and the availability of lifesaving equipment. Investigations into Martinez’s death are ongoing by the police.