The discovery of a body in waters off Chaguaramas on Thursday has brought some closure to one family, but deepened the anguish for others still awaiting news of their missing loved ones following Sunday’s boating collision off Cannings Point, which also left several people injured.
Just before noon on Thursday, the family of Anil Ahyee received confirmation that his body had been recovered.
Speaking to reporters after a briefing by the T&T Coast Guard, Anil’s mother, Elizabeth Ahyee, described the news as a measure of relief after days of uncertainty.
“I am praying to the others that they receive theirs because as a parent, I wanted closure, and thank God I got it. So to everybody in Trinidad and Tobago, thanks for the support and prayers, and everybody be strong.”
Among those gathered was survivor Malique Rudder. He said that while he was recovering from his injuries, the emotional impact of the incident continued to weigh heavily on him, particularly as he remained uncertain about the whereabouts of his friends.
“To be honest, it’s just traumatising. To be honest, every time I close my eyes, it keeps playing over in my head. Every time I sit down here, I just studying my friends who were there with me, they are no longer here with me.”
During Thursday’s search, rescuers also discovered life vests which may provide important clues about what happened during the collision. Dr Selwyn Samaroo of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team said the discovery of Mr Ahyee’s body marked a significant development in the operation.
“The members of the smaller boat a little off from us, they discovered the vests. It was very clear that those vests were not being worn by the persons who went missing. So yes, we have been searching all week, and luckily today, thankfully today, one body was discovered which tells us a lot.”
While five people were initially reported missing following Sunday’s collision, the number rose to six on Tuesday after the family of Jaheem Richards confirmed that he was also aboard the vessel.
Jaheem’s stepfather, Maurice Brown, said the family is relying on the Coast Guard to continue its search efforts.
“After it was confirmed that there is a sixth person, and his name is Jaheem Richard, what they were saying is that they were giving the assurance that they are still searching on the outer rim, and they are doing the best. They’re getting all the top equipment and whatnot, from especially the energy sector, to know the different currents, the swells, the whatnot, and the depth and whatnot, and where the bodies might float. So, I am leaving it in the Coast Guard hand to give me any information after, but I do know they’re working, and I leave it as that.”
Despite the time that has passed since the collision, Mr Brown said he was still holding on to the possibility that Jaheem may be found alive, although he acknowledged the increasingly difficult circumstances.
“I know for a fact I’m not reassuring that he will be alive, but I’m just keeping the hopes up that they might find him somewhere on some island, hide up somewhere. He find somewhere on an island; he hide up and he right there, you know, but basically, from what I’m seeing, with the days that gone by, I’m not ruling out that. I’m not ruling out that he’s not dead. I know for a fact that after those long days, yeah, nothing can be done. Whether you get off an island or whatnot, you ain’t eat, you ain’t drink, to me and all this kind of thing, it’s hard, it’s really hard.”
Families continued to gather at the Chaquacabana Resort and Beach Club, just outside the Coast Guard’s headquarters, which has become a central meeting point for relatives awaiting updates.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge met with relatives of the missing persons at Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas, to hear their concerns and offer support as search efforts continued.
The Ministry said in a social media post that it will continue working alongside the relevant agencies, as efforts intensified to locate the five people still missing following the recovery of Anil Ahyee’s body.
Following the meeting, Maurice Brown, stepfather of Jaheem Richards, outlined what was discussed.
“What was simply said is that the search is continuing, they’re using different finders, they’re doing a lot of different work to find the bodies and whatnot. Well, so far we heard of one body being found, and now they, we just get overheard that is some other, but not from them. Not connected to that. Not connected to that, but I don’t know again what is what, so, but I was not around in the initial stages to know what was, what really transpired. We were late on this scene from Tuesday. So I’m only getting bits of information from the social media, and from them, and I’m not going to, I’m not going to discredit anybody, and I’m just going to keep an open mind and find out what is what, however it goes.”