The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is today denying claims that it did not respond to a call for assistance from the family members of five missing Cedros fishermen.
Instead, they are claiming that they were never contacted at all.
The fishermen, captain David Seepaul, 60, his son Davanan, 35, Shiva “Saucy Boy” Seepersad, 20, Braiyer Gonzalez Ali, 21, and Jeremiah “Coco” Pasqual, 19, left from Fullerton Beach aboard a fishing vessel named Amanda after 4 pm on Saturday.
They were expected back either Saturday night or early Sunday morning. When they failed to return home, family members said they reported them missing to the Cedros Police Station, and the Coast Guard.
However, the relatives claimed they were told that the two Coast Guard vessels at the Cedros base were not working.
In a statement today, the TTCG said its Maritime Operations Coordinating Centre (MOCC) was “not directly contacted” by the families of the missing fishermen, who have been missing at sea since last Saturday.
“The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is aware of reports concerning missing persons aboard the pirogue AMANDA.
“However, it is important to clarify that the TTCG’s Maritime Operations Coordinating Center (MOCC) was not directly contacted by the families of the missing persons.
“Therefore, reports circulating in the media indicating that the families contacted the TTCG and were told that the Coast Guard boats were not working are inaccurate.”
The TTCG said it has made contact with Venezuelan authorities to seek assistance in locating the missing vessel and the men and is awaiting further information.
The TTCG said it remains committed to the safety of mariners and said it’s ready to assist in any way possible.
It added that it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
The five Cedros fishermen have been missing since last Saturday.