Two crew members missing after molasses barge sinks off East Coast Demerara

Two crew members are reported missing after a tanker barge carrying molasses sank early Wednesday approximately 9.5 nautical miles off Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) said.

The barge, TRADER III, was transporting molasses from Berbice to Georgetown when the incident occurred around 01:00 hours.

MARAD said emergency operations were immediately activated to search for the missing personnel. The search and rescue effort is being led by MARAD’s Emergency Operations Coordinator, Captain John Flores, with support from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the vessel’s owner.

Authorities have not released details on the condition of the remaining crew or the cause of the sinking. Investigations and search operations are ongoing.