Diver dies during salvage operation in Essequibo River

A 66-year-old Venezuelan national died after failing to resurface during a diving operation in the Essequibo River, approximately 10 nautical miles off Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
Dead is Luis Martinez, who was employed as a diver and was part of a crew engaged in an operation to refloat a vessel when the incident occurred on Wednesday.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), preliminary investigations revealed that Martinez departed Kingston Wharf, Georgetown, at about 17:14hrs aboard a vessel with several other crew members to participate in the operation.
Upon reaching the location, Martinez reportedly entered the water to carry out diving activities. However, after approximately 20 minutes, he failed to resurface, prompting concern among the other crew members.

The crew subsequently used a rope attached to Martinez’s body to pull him from the water. He was reportedly motionless and frothing at the mouth when retrieved.
He was then transported to the Transport and Harbours Department Wharf at Stabroek, Georgetown, where ambulance personnel were summoned.
Martinez was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty at about 02:30hrs on Thursday, October 29.
Police said an examination of the body revealed no marks of violence on the exposed parts. His remains were subsequently escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where they are awaiting a post-mortem examination.
While police have not identified the vessel involved in the incident, details of the salvaging operation have also not been released.
The incident comes as Guyana awaits the recovery of the sunken MV Barima, which capsized and sank on July 18, resulting in the deaths of approximately 100 people.
On October 8, Guyana Times reported that salvage operations to recover the vessel could commence before the end of October, following confirmation that BK International had been awarded the contract.
During a preliminary public hearing of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the tragedy, forensic naval architect Dr Andrzej Jastrzenowski, a member of the commission, said he had met with the preferred salvage team to discuss the recovery operation and preservation of evidence.
He had indicated that the operation could begin within days, although no confirmed commencement date was provided.
The commission is examining several aspects of the tragedy, including the vessel’s passenger capacity, cargo arrangements, loading procedures, stability and the availability of lifesaving equipment. Police investigations into Martinez’s death are ongoing.

Source: Guyana Times