GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The Guyana Government says it will begin operations at midday on Wednesday to refloat the sunken MV Barima using specialised flotation equipment as rescue and recovery efforts enter a critical new phase.

The MV Barima capsized Saturday night, resulting so far in the deaths of 53 people, including 15 children and the rescue of 76 others.

Authorities say the search continues for the estimated 70 people still unaccounted for after the 87-year-old vessel sank as it made its way from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, a small village within the Barima-Waini administrative region of the country.