CoI hears testimonies of overcrowding, negligence, and delayed rescue in MV Barima tragedy

(Kaieteur News) – The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the fatal capsizing and sinking of the vessel MV Barima opened in Port Kaituma with harrowing eyewitness accounts from survivors, grieving family members, and local residents. Testimonies presented to the commissioners painted a damning picture of severe vessel overcrowding, cargo misconduct, systemic regulatory corruption, and a severely delayed official search-and-rescue response.

Witnesses detailed chaotic conditions aboard the vessel prior to its departure. Port Kaituma resident Sherry Adams described appalling unsanitary conditions and extreme passenger volume, estimating that over 200 people were packed on board, including more than 100 children concentrated on the upper deck.

“In Region One, we get treat the worse… the toilets is be foaming all over… the place is so packed sometimes I’d walk with a bucket and go in the corner,” Adams testified. She recounted walking off the vessel to take a flight after finding nowhere to sit. Adams further alleged an off-the-manifest racket operating between Mabaruma and Port Kaituma, where individuals paid $3,000 to board without appearing on the official passenger log. According to Adams, when questioned about seating space, the ship’s captain claimed he was acting on “higher orders” before retreating upstairs.