He was unable to say whether the man identified as Egbert Jack had floated to the shore or was rescued by a passing fishing vessel. Benn reported though that Jack informed the authorities that up to shortly before he was rescued that he along with another young man of East Indian descent had been clinging to the life ring but the young man had let go and drifted off.
Jack was also taken to the Mabaruma Hospital where he was still traumatized and severely dehydrated. The Minister held a briefing at the Maritime Coordination Centre where he made the announcement relating to Jack and stressed that the authorities were doing everything within its capability to effect the search and rescue. He said too that the GDF Bell 206 which is one of the lighter of the two recently purchased helicopters for the Army was yesterday deployed to join in the search.
Benn said that he could not confirm that the helicopter was not deployed the previous day because it was on a commercial flight and otherwise engaged but rather blamed it on the weather saying that it was not conducive to having such a vessel deployed. As it relates to the GDFS Essequibo which Benn on Friday said would have been deployed, he said that this could not have been done as some repairs were being effected to the vessel. He did point out that outside of the several privately operated vessels that have joined the search several MARAD vessels have been deployed as well as Coast Guard vessels that were stationed at nearby Morawhanna.
Benn said that arrangements are being made to have Jack who was rescued yesterday to have him flown to the capital city today. Meanwhile Benn said that the authorities are currently looking for the owner of the vessel with whom contact was made with on a satellite phone as it relates to the mishap but who never reported the incident.
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