-with help from public-spirited citizens
A woman yesterday gave birth aboard the north west ferry, MV Ma Lisha with the help of three public-spirited citizens.
A release from the Ministry of Public Works said that at approximately 1.10 am, Pauline Cirus began experiencing abdominal pain and contractions. At the time of the emergency, the MV Ma Lisha was navigating open waters precisely 22.22 nautical miles off Shell Beach.
Recognizing the delicate situation, the release said that the captain immediately issued a distress signal to request Coast Guard assistance for the expectant mother.
The release emphasized that the distress call was solely a request for medical support and was in no way related to any physical fault, vessel malfunction, or emergency concerning the ship itself.
Demonstrating extraordinary community spirit and composure under pressure, the release said that three female passengers aboard the vessel—Daphne Williams, Martina Valenzuela, and Lorna Joseph Beharry—stepped forward to assist in the labour. With their assistance and the support of the crew, Cirus safely delivered a baby boy at 01:51 hrs.
A Guyana Coast Guard team, under the command of Petty Officer Wendell Walcott, arrived to assist at 6.20 am. To ensure maximum safety during the vessel transfer, the operation was executed 3.8 nautical miles off the Waini Inner Beacon, taking advantage of the relatively calmer waters in that area.
Coast Guard personnel safely transferred Cirus, her newborn son, and two accompanying passengers—Williams and Beharry—for swift transport to the Mabaruma Hospital for post-natal care.
Following the successful joint operation, the MV Malisha resumed its journey to Kumaka, arriving safely at port at 09:30 hrs.
Edghill commended the crew, Officer Walcott’s Coast Guard team, and especially Williams, Valenzuela, and Beharry for their “selfless civic duty, resourcefulness, and care in ensuring the safety and well-being of mother and child”.
Questions may be asked about the length of time the GDF took to arrive at the scene after the distress signal was issued.
In its own release yesterday, the GDF said that after receiving the alert, it deployed aerial and maritime assets to provide assistance.
Coast Guard personnel subsequently established contact with the vessel’s captain and learnt that a passenger aboard had gone into active labour. The captain requested assistance to transport the passenger for urgent medical attention.
Following the captain’s request, the release said that the GDF facilitated the transfer of the mother, her newborn and accompanying relatives from MV MA LISHA to a GDF vessel near the Waini River. The vessel proceeded to Kumaka, where an ambulance received the group for onward transfer to Mabaruma Hospital, the regional hospital serving Region One. The mother and newborn were subsequently taken to the hospital for medical attention.
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