The capsizing of the MV Barima off Guyana’s northwest coast in the early hours of Sunday has plunged the nation into one of its worst maritime disasters in recent years, triggering an extensive search-and-rescue operation while raising urgent questions about the safety, maintenance and continued operation of the ageing passenger ferry.

The vessel, which departed Georgetown at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, was bound for Port Kaituma in Region One with 116 passengers and 17 crew members aboard. What should have been a routine overnight voyage turned into tragedy when distress signals were reportedly received by Timehri Air Traffic Control and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard at around 11:00 p.m., after the ferry capsized near Iron Punt off the Pomeroon River.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, has been coordinating the national response as rescuers continue efforts to locate everyone who was aboard. Scores of passengers have already been pulled from the water alive, while the fate of others remained uncertain up to press time.