Badly decomposed body of missing fisherman found at Cottage foreshore

The badly decomposed body believed to be that of 33-year-old fisherman Ryan Roberts, also called “Blue Shirt,” of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was discovered along the foreshore at Cottage Village, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

The remains were found among large boulders along the rocky sea defence that lines sections of the coastline in the area.

Persons involved in the search for the fisherman had been combing sections of the Atlantic and nearby shorelines after he disappeared last week during a fishing expedition. On the first day of the search, those looking for him reportedly recovered his icebox, which had been floating at sea.

The discovery deepened fears among relatives and fellow fisherfolk that Roberts had drowned after he was lost in rough seas.

It was previously reported that Roberts was among a five-man fishing crew that departed the Abary fishing landing on February 24 on what was expected to be a 15-day fishing expedition.

According to the vessel’s captain, Dale Wilson, the crew had been hauling in their fishing seine when a large wave struck the vessel, causing Roberts, who had been standing near an ice box, to be knocked overboard into the Atlantic Ocean.

Wilson said the crew managed to pull Roberts back onto the vessel after nearly an hour in the water, during which time the injured fisherman reportedly told them that both his legs were broken.

However, the situation worsened after the boat began taking in water, eventually causing the vessel to capsize in the heavy seas, throwing all five men into the ocean.

The crew attempted to keep Roberts afloat using an ice box and a life ring, but the rough waves repeatedly separated the men.

Wilson said that during the ordeal, a large wave scattered the group, and when the remaining crew members regrouped near the floating icebox, Roberts had disappeared.

The four surviving fishermen battled the rough sea throughout the night before they were eventually rescued by another fishing vessel the following morning and taken to the Abary landing.

Roberts remained missing and was feared drowned until the discovery of the body along the Cottage foreshore.

Police were reportedly alerted following the discovery, and investigations are continuing.

Authorities are expected to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.