The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard has reached out to authorities in Venezuela for assistance in the search for five missing Cedros fishermen.

Captain Davanand Seepaul, his father David Seepaul, and three others, Shiva Seepersad, Jeremiah Pasqual and Braiyer Gonzales Ali, have not been seen since leaving for a fishing expedition at Fullerton Beach on Saturday in a boat named Amanda.  

The TTCG has meanwhile denied reports that the families of the missing men were turned away after contacting them for assistance in the search. 

“The TTCG’s Maritime Operations Coordinating Center was not directly contacted by the families of the missing persons. Therefore, reports circulating in the media indicating that the families contacted the TTCG and were told that the Coast Guard boats are not working are inaccurate,” the Coast Guard said in a statement on Thursday.