Discrepancies, lack of inter-agency training exposed at MV Barima Inquiry

(Kaieteur News) – Discrepancies in the timeline for locating the wreckage of the MV Barima, communication failures between aircraft and maritime authorities, outdated operational procedures, and the absence of critical digital records came under intense scrutiny on Tuesday when Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Commanding Officer, Commander David Shamsudeen, testified before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly maritime disaster.

The commission’s Chair and other panel members emphasised that access to the report was essential to their investigation and the discharge of their presidential mandate.

The testimony placed renewed attention on the preparedness of Guyana’s maritime emergency response system, particularly the absence of regular joint training, the failure to transmit potentially vital coordinates, outdated operating procedures and the limited availability of records needed to independently verify the rescue operation.