After a detailed inquiry, the Coroner’s Court in Anguilla has determined that Sydney Carty, of North Hill, one of four fishermen aboard the deep-sea fishing boat, Esmeraldo Too, died as a result of accidental drowning on December 14, 2015.
The Coroner’s Inquest heard that the unfortunate fishing incident occurred in the Seal Island channel close to Prickley Pear Reef, when the boat, owned and captained by Mr. Edwin Carty (Ed), of Sandy Ground, was returning to Road Bay with the day’s catch.
Along with Ed were Sydney Carty alias ‘Ching’, Arthur Greenidge, alias ‘Badge’; and Rodney Cecil Richardson. According to information gleaned from the Inquest documents, the Esmeraldo Too was capsized and damaged by a massive wave. Ed was trapped inside the boat but miraculously freed himself, however his three companions were thrown overboard to battle for their lives.
Both Ed and Rodney survived the ordeal – having been rescued by a passing Anguillian-owned small boat travelling from Sombrero Island to Road Bay which, for some reason, had taken – and fortunately so – that unaccustomed route on that fateful day. Sydney Carty’s lifeless body was later recovered by a search party. The body of Arthur Greenidge still remains unaccounted for despite several days of searching. Thus, there is yet no closure to his disappearance.
It was this intriguing and sad story which the Coroner’s Court, presided over by Senior Magistrate, Ms. Ivenia Benjamin, and comprising a jury of six persons (five ladies and a lone gentleman as foreman), heard from a number of witnesses.
In finding that Sydney Carty, who was in his mid-fifties, died of accidental drowning, the Coroner’s Court made the following recommendations in an effort to save lives at sea as may be possible:
• All individuals employed on fishing vessels should have basic swimming skills or should be taught how to swim prior to employment.
• Persons who are travelling on any fishing vessel should wear a life vest when the boat is in motion or moving back and forth from location to location.
• Owners of fishing vessels should buy a “SPOT” device so that they can contact Emergency Personnel and family members if there is a problem or if their vessel is in distress. The devices are relatively cheap, costing about US$100.00. This should be a pre-condition to obtaining a licence to operate such a vessel.
• Captains and fishermen should know basic First Aid and should have the necessary skills to be able to assist in cases of an emergency.
• Owners of fishing vessels, and individuals who operate them, should have the appropriate documentation/licences to captain or operate a boat/fishing vessel.
• Each vessel/boat should have sufficient life jackets for every person on board – and the life jackets should have the name and number of the vessel so that they are easily identifiable and, as a result, they cannot be exchanged between other boat owners.
