The commission, appointed by President Irfaan Ali, is chaired by former Belizean Justice of Appeal Godfrey Phillip Smith and includes Trinidad and Tobago maritime attorney Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Jamaican maritime surveyor Captain Hamada Fouda, retired Trinidad and Tobago Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard, and Polish forensic naval architect Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski. The panel has been mandated to determine what caused the July 18 tragedy, identify any negligence or institutional failures, and recommend reforms to strengthen maritime safety.

The inquiry stems from the sinking of the 87-year-old MV Barima, which capsized while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Authorities have since confirmed that 179 people were aboard the vessel. Seventy-six survived, 73 bodies have been recovered, and 30 people remain unaccounted for, making it the deadliest maritime disaster in Guyana’s modern history.

President Ali has repeatedly described the commission as independent, international and transparent, saying it is intended to provide answers for grieving families and restore confidence in the country’s maritime safety framework. However, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), opposition parties, civil society organisations and governance advocates had called for a more inclusive and consultative process in appointing the commissioners to avoid perceptions of bias and strengthen public confidence in the inquiry. The Government, however, proceeded with the appointments without adopting those recommendations.