MV Barima CoI: MARAD inspector suggests more vessel inspections, upgraded regulations to strengthen oversight

Acting Marine Superintendent of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Christopher Bailey, was questioned during Tuesday’s sittings of the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry (CoI) about areas in which the agency’s operations could be improved. He suggested that existing regulations could be upgraded and the inspection system strengthened, including through more thorough checks to ensure vessels are seaworthy and fully operational before being cleared for operation. The state-owned passenger and cargo ferry capsized off the Essequibo Coast on July 18, 2026, resulting in at least 73 deaths, while dozens of others remain missing.

Bailey was questioned by commissioner Nyree Dawn Alfonso, an Attorney-at-Law specialising in Admiralty and Maritime Law from Trinidad and Tobago, about what recommendations he would make to improve the system in terms of enforcement, control and safety, particularly in his capacity as an enforcement officer responsible for maintaining standards. As part of its mandate, the CoI is expected to identify shortcomings, examine existing maritime safety measures and recommend improvements to help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

In response, Bailey acknowledged that the system could be improved, particularly by increasing MARAD’s outreach and conducting more checks on vessels to ensure they are operational and compliant with the required standards.