Hundreds of Guyanese, led primarily by students of the University of Guyana, gathered outside the Office of the President on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, on Friday in a silent protest dubbed “Float the Boat”—a pointed reference to the sunken MV Barima and the Government’s earlier decision not to salvage the vessel from the seabed.

The demonstration, organised independently by the students, brought together first-time protesters, trade unionists, civil society activists and opposition figures, all demanding accountability for one of Guyana’s deadliest maritime disasters. Protesters also called for the resignation of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar, arguing that both should step aside while investigations continue.

The protest came just days after the MV Barima capsized on July 18 during a voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, claiming 53 lives. The vessel was carrying 116 passengers and 17 crew members, according to the official manifest, although concerns have since been raised that additional passengers may have been on board but were never recorded, leaving uncertainty over the true number of people who travelled on the ferry that night.