Relatives of drowned fisherman: He knew he would die at sea

THE relatives of 66-year-old fisherman Joseph Benedict McLean yesterday said while they were in grief over the death of the family's patriarch, they were pleased to know that he died doing what he loved.

At the Forensic Science Centre, St James today, Benedict's children told Newsday their father was a lifelong fisherman and had a passion for going out to sea.

"He loved what he did," McLean's son, Richard said.

"He lived a full life. He knew that he would die at sea one of these days and I know that he died the way he wanted to, which is out at sea with his best friend Alphonse (Charles)."

Relatives said McLean's boat began taking on water at around 1 am on Wednesday, and he tried to swim away but his foot was trapped in the fishing net.

McLean and Charles were with Kishon Kesam Ramnarine who swam out of the boat towards the shore to get help.

Newsday also spoke with Charles' daughter Merjella, who said while she used to go fishing with her father, she could not bring herself to go near the water anytime soon.