(Kaieteur News) – Attorney-at-law and APNU Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Dexter Todd said on Thursday that determining the seaworthiness of the recently sunken MV Barima was never the responsibility of the crew members now facing murder charges, but rather that of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).

Dr Todd made the comments at a special press conference addressing the case of the three surviving crew members who have been charged in connection with the disaster. He was responding to questions on whether the men had disclosed any information about the vessel’s navigational aids, sea bridges, or overall seaworthiness.

While he stopped short of revealing the substance of his discussions with his clients, citing professional ethics, Dr Todd was unambiguous on where accountability for the vessel’s condition rests.