Fisherman threatens lawsuit for accident at sea

A fisherman is claiming $48,000 for his boat and loss of earnings arising out of an incident in which it was struck by another boat in the Gulf of Paria.

In a pre-action protocol letter, 48-year-old Kurt Sooknanan said he intends to sue fellow-boat captain Mikey Ramdass for damage to his boat arising from an incident at sea on October 5. He said, at about midday on that day he boarded his boat, Nicko Boy, with friends Noris Raj and Lenekar Gomansingh and they went out to fish.

They cast their nets close to Trinidad Cement Limited and Petrotrin’s jetty off the coast of Plaisance Park, Claxton Bay.

According to the letter sent by attorney Jeevan Andrew Rampersad, they returned at 5.10 pm and started washing and cleaning the boat. Sooknanan alleges, while they were doing that they saw another boat speeding towards them. Raj allegedly grabbed his coat and, standing on the bow of the boat, waved it to the incoming boat driver. Sooknanan took a flag and waved as well. They said they shouted to the driver to deviate his course but to no avail. The boat allegedly crashed head-on with Niko Boy. Sooknanan was cut on the face and was kept at the San Fernando General Hospital for three days.

The letter contends, because of the damage to the boat, Sooknanan was unable to fish. He is claiming loss of earnings at the rate of $1,500 per day for 29 days. Damage to the boat was estimated at $4,911.29. Sooknanan is threatening to file a High Court action if the claim is not settled within the next 14 days.