Employees turning up to work at the Ottley Hall Marina on Tuesday morning were greeted by the sight of a body floating in the water just off the marina.{{more}}

When Coast Guard officers fished Trinidadian seaman George Ward from the waters a little after 7 that morning, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ward was the caretaker of the cargo vessel Lady Erin, which is docked at the marina.

Owner of the vessel, Israel John, who turned up at the marina upon hearing of Ward’s death, expressed grief at the loss of the man whose age he estimated to be sixty-three. This could not be confirmed as no identification was found on the deceased.

John said he last saw Ward on Friday, when he paid him. He had expected to see him again on Monday, when he was

scheduled to visit the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for a check up.

Apart from a drinking habit, John said he knew of no other illnesses affecting his employee, whom he said had been a seaman for decades.

He described Ward as a quiet person who hardly spoke unless spoken to.

It is not known if Ward has relatives here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Police are yet to say if foul play is suspected and are awaiting the result of a post mortem examination.