Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Two cousins, aged ten and 12, who went on an adventure to catch conch yesterday afternoon, were stranded at sea after their pint-sized boat began drifting in the Gulf of Paria during high winds.
The boys are students of the San Fernando Methodist School but did not attend yesterday.
Realising they were in danger, the boys—Kadeem Branker, 10, and his cousin Christopher Bridgelal—dropped anchor and jumped overboard onto a rock about a mile from shore, while their father and police mobilised a rescue mission.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Kadeem’s father, Clint Branker, said they stayed out on the rock for 20 minutes before they were brought to shore.
“They went to catch a little conch, the boat started to drift, and they get frightened and stayed on the rock. I went for them in the boat,” Branker said. Branker said it was normal for them to play at sea.
After they were brought to safety, a relieved relative led them away saying, “Look what allyuh do. You make news tonight.”
Fisherman Vincent Pereira told Guardian Media it was a close call, as the boys could have easily drifted off to the coast of Venezuela.
“It’s a good thing the tide didn’t come up and catch them on that rock. The parents are supposed to be a bit more strict,” Perreira said.
He added, “They took a brave chance. The winds are so high they could have ended up down Venezuela. It’s a good thing they had an anchor. If the wind had picked them up, it’s down the road they going you know.”
A team of officers from the San Fernando police station, led by Sgt Seecharan and Cpl Huggins, coordinated the rescue. The children were interviewed upon their return, and their parents were spoken to.
Investigations are ongoing.
