Molasses Barge sinks off East Coast Demerara

At approximately, 01:00 hours, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) received a  distress signal concerning the sinking of a tanker barge: TRADER III approximately 9.5 Nautical  Miles off Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara 

At the time of the incident the barge was engaged in the transport of a cargo of molasses from  Berbice to Georgetown. 

Two crew members are reported missing. 

Immediately upon receipt of the distress communication emergency response operations were  activated to search for the missing persons. 

MARAD’s Emergency Operations Coordinator, Capt. John Flores, is leading the search and rescue  effort, with support the of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, and the vessel owner.