Christopher Bailey Details MV Barima Safety Failures at Guyana Inquiry

A Marine Superintendent told a presidential inquiry that the MV Barima had serious safety defects, including missing life-saving equipment, broken fire systems, no radar or AIS, and only one working engine, making it unsafe to operate. He also admitted no follow-up inspection was done after his November 2025 report, raising questions about oversight failures by maritime authorities and the Transport and Harbours Department.

Families of those missing in the MV Barima sinking are still protesting outside the Office of the President, 10 weeks after the July 18 disaster, demanding answers, the vessel’s recovery and ministerial accountability. The Commission of Inquiry is under way, while a G$1.034 billion salvage contract has drawn scrutiny from relatives and civil society.

MARAD inspector Christopher Bailey told the commission he recorded 16 deficiencies during a November inspection of the MV Barima, including overdue life rafts and an expired EPIRB battery, but could not say whether they were fixed before the ferry sank on July 18. His testimony raised questions about which regulations applied, how MARAD’s checklist was used, and whether the vessel received adequate safety oversight.

At the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry, MARAD’s acting Marine Superintendent Christopher Bailey said Guyana’s vessel safety system needs stronger enforcement, more outreach and more thorough inspections to ensure boats are seaworthy and compliant before operating. His evidence comes as investigators examine failures linked to the July 2026 MV Barima capsize, which killed at least 73 people off the Essequibo Coast.