Survivors who lost daughter, grandson in Barima tragedy pleads for financial relief

(Kaieteur News) – A family torn apart by the tragic capsizing of the MV Barima vessel traveling to the North West District, is calling for urgent government and official intervention to speed up the reimbursement and the return of their hard-earned funds lost during the disaster.

Speaking in an interview with Kaieteur News, Grenville Smith of Aracuru detailed the harrowing night he, his wife, and son fought for survival in open waters for seven hours, the heartbreaking loss of his daughter and grandson, and the secondary struggle they now face to recover the money he had diligently saved over years of hard labour.

The tragic journey began in July after the family attended a funeral and made plans to return home. Boarding the vessel between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM, Smith recalled that the boat was already heavily laden, with workers continuing to add cargo right up until departure around 4:00 PM.