As Guyana races to locate dozens of passengers missing after an 87-year-old passenger ferry sank off the Pomeroon coast, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has questioned why two of the Guyana Defence Force’s three helicopters were reportedly out of service during one of the country’s most significant maritime search-and-rescue operations in recent years.

In a statement issued Sunday, Mohamed called for urgent public disclosure after reports indicated that the GDF’s Bell 429 and Bell 412 helicopters have been grounded for more than a month following apparent display unit failures during engine start.

“If accurate, this would leave only the Bell 407 as the Air Corps’ airworthy helicopter,” he said.