President Ali Defends MV Barima Salvage Review as Questions Over Disaster Persist

The Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima sinking said it has made no ruling on whether the ferry needed seaworthiness or other safety certification, distancing itself from comments attributed to its lawyers. Chair Justice Godfrey P. Smith said the issue is still before the inquiry, which continues to examine the July 18 disaster that left 73 dead and 30 missing.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the M/V Barima capsizing says no ruling has been made on whether the ferry needed safety certification or was seaworthy, distancing itself from a DPI report that suggested otherwise. While oral hearings pause until November 10, Secretariat teams will visit survivors in their communities to record statements.

Attorney-at-law and MP Amanza Walton has challenged claims that the MV Barima did not need a passenger safety certificate, arguing the Commission of Inquiry must first determine whether it was legally surveyed and cleared to carry passengers. She says the Guyana Shipping Act requires passenger ships to have valid certification, and that state ownership does not automatically exempt a vessel used commercially. The findings could be crucial for families seeking answers after the Barima capsized and sank.

Forward Guyana Movement is pressing the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry to determine whether the ferry was properly surveyed, registered and certified to carry passengers under Guyana’s Shipping Act. Attorney Amanza Walton argues state ownership may not exempt a vessel used for commercial passenger service, and says families deserve clarity on any safety-law breach.

Relatives of victims and survivors of the MV Barima maritime disaster say the Commission of Inquiry secretariat at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre has not clearly explained how to submit evidence or apply to testify. Families, including Jasmin Cort and Royston Frank, say they received little guidance despite gazetted procedures, leaving them frustrated as the inquiry affects more than 100 victims and relatives.

In this editorial, Kaieteur News says the Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy began poorly, with closed-door proceedings and three senior workers charged with murder limiting what the inquiry can uncover. It argues that delays, weak salvage efforts, and unanswered questions could leave families without the truth unless the COI acts independently and thoroughly.

A commission of inquiry into the July 18 MV Barima capsizing heard that Guyana’s government ferries lacked basic safety certification, including SOLAS and loading documents, when retired MARAD captain John Flores reviewed the files. The hearing also highlighted major gaps in emergency planning and a disputed passenger count, with investigators saying 179 people were aboard despite earlier lower figures. The tragedy killed 73 people and left 30 missing.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the July 18 MV Barima capsizing has paused oral hearings for two weeks and will resume on November 10. During the break, its Secretariat will gather more evidence and visit survivors in their communities to take statements, while commissioners continue reviewing testimony from 33 witnesses on the ferry disaster and rescue response.

Communication failures hampered MARAD’s response to the sinking of the MV Barima, with emergency coordinator Capt. John Flores telling the Commission of Inquiry that weak systems made it hard to give clear instructions. He said government plans to add rescue coordination centres along Guyana’s coast could raise communication coverage to about 90%, though false distress alerts also slowed verification. The inquiry continues as officials examine the response to the disaster, which left 73 dead and 30 missing.

Testimony at the Commission of Inquiry showed repeated unanswered distress calls from the MV Barima, raising questions about how quickly emergency alerts were relayed and acted on during the July 18 ferry disaster. A witness also said Public Works Minister Juan Edghill urged rescuers not to release photos, while search teams later found empty life rafts and rescued survivors in poor condition.

A coalition of Guyanese civil society groups wants Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar and three senior maritime officials placed on administrative leave while the Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima sinking continues. They are also pressing for a more transparent, public process, including real-time livestreaming, witness protections and full release of the final report.

APNU is urging the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry to call Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and junior minister Deodat Indar to testify about safety oversight, maritime regulation and emergency preparedness before the July 18 sinking that killed passengers. The party cited reported gaps in drills, maintenance, communications and rescue readiness, saying the inquiry must examine whether government failures contributed to the tragedy.

A coalition of Guyanese civil society groups is challenging the government’s $1.034 billion award to BK International to salvage the sunken MV Barima, saying the bidders lacked the required marine salvage experience and may damage evidence needed to explain the July 18 sinking. They want a specialist forensic salvage firm and an independent marine safety investigation.

Testimony at the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry revealed major gaps in Guyana’s maritime emergency response, including MARAD having only two operational vessels and relying on private contractor WestSyde Marine for rescue support. Witnesses also described delayed alerts, informal record-keeping, weak standard procedures and shortages of supplies during the search for survivors. These failures are now central to the probe into the sinking.

A coalition of civil society groups is urging the Government to replace BK International with a specialist marine salvage firm to recover the sunken MV Barima, saying the wreck must be raised in a way that preserves evidence for investigators. They also want an independent marine safety probe and stronger transparency around the Commission of Inquiry.

At the MV Barima inquiry, MARAD lighthouse attendant David Chisholm said repeated attempts to contact the vessel around midnight after a distress alert got no response. A pilot trainee also testified that survivors and bodies were transferred during the rescue, while officials including Minister Juan Edghill and Health Minister Frank Anthony were present. The capsizing has left 73 dead and 30 missing.

A MARAD surveyor testified at the MV Barima inquiry that he did not know who in Guyana vessel owners are supposed to register emergency beacons with, even though the beacon’s manufacturer urged registration. The gap matters because the Barima’s EPIRB was never registered locally, slowing efforts to identify the vessel after its July 18 sinking off the Essequibo Coast and hampering the initial response.

The Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima capsizing heard that the vessel’s chief engineer lacked formal certification, safety drills were not done, and maintenance was ad hoc, raising concerns about maritime oversight. Testimony also showed early search efforts were limited by dark coastal airstrips and that rescue figures were logged from media reports, exposing gaps in emergency coordination and record-keeping.

A coordinated search-and-rescue operation by the Guyana Defence Force, MARAD and a fishing vessel brought 69 MV Barima survivors to safety by 5 a.m. on July 19, with crews using searchlights, reduced engine noise and air searches to find people in rough Atlantic waters. Monday’s testimony before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry also confirmed the recovery of the vessel’s emergency beacon, as the probe examines the sinking and maritime safety lapses.