With sweeping powers to ensure transparency, accountability and reform, a high-level five-member panel was named by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday to lead the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima tragedy, which occurred on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The appointment of this distinguished team of regional and international legal and maritime experts was made under Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act and is in keeping with an earlier commitment by the Guyanese Head of State for an independent probe into horrific ferry accident.

Among those appointed is former Belizean Justice of Appeal and distinguished legal expert, Godfrey Phillip Smith, who has been selected to head the CoI. Smith currently serves as the CARICOM High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and is the Ad Hoc Justice of Appeal at the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. He is also a partner at ByronSmith, Arbitrators & Litigation Support Services (St Lucia) and Senior Partner at Marine Parade Chambers, LLP, Attorneys-at-Law.

The former High Court Judge previously served as one of the commissioners who examined the turbulent events of Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional elections. Also appointed on the Commission is Captain Hamada Fouda, an internationally respected maritime safety specialist with more than 35 years of experience in marine regulation and casualty investigations. Captain Fouda specialises in marine casualty investigations, vessel safety and international maritime compliance. Since 2019, he has led investigations into marine accidents under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, identifying causes and recommending measures to prevent future incidents. His expertise will support the Commission of Inquiry as it examines the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima tragedy and develops recommendations to strengthen maritime safety. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago Senior Attorney-at-Law, Nyree Dawn Alfonso, was also appointed to sit on the Commission that will probe the recent ferry accident.