In response to the country's worst maritime disaster on record, Guyana has appointed a five-member team of international experts to lead an independent investigation into the recent sinking of a state ferry.
The 87-year-old vessel, the MV Barima, capsized in Atlantic waters on June 18. It had departed the capital of Georgetown and was traveling to Port Kaituma, an Indigenous community located near Venezuela. While authorities believe 179 passengers were on board the ferry, divers have only recovered 73 bodies so far. Another 76 people were successfully rescued, and international teams are continuing efforts to salvage the vessel to allow experts to conduct a physical inspection.
President Irfaan Ali announced the appointments during a state address on Sunday, noting that the commission has been granted widespread powers and will operate with complete independence. Phillip Godfrey Smith, the former attorney general of Belize, has been chosen to chair the five-person panel. The team also includes an attorney, a naval architect, and maritime experts hailing from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. They will investigate whether professional negligence played a role in the tragedy.
Local law enforcement has already taken three individuals into custody. Among those arrested is the rescued captain of the vessel, who allegedly tested positive for marijuana, along with another member of the ship's crew.
President Ali stated that the commission is tasked with analyzing passenger management practices, including the embarkation process, manifest preparation, potential overcrowding, cargo storage, the availability and utilization of life-saving equipment, and compliance with overall passenger safety regulations.
This scrutiny aligns with complaints from survivors. Dozens of people who were rescued after clinging to floating debris for hours reported that the MV Barima was severely overloaded with cargo, including vehicles and massive pallets, as well as passengers. Furthermore, survivors claimed that the vessel had been taking in water prior to capsizing, but crew members dismissed their concerns, calling the leakage "normal."
The commission will also seek to determine if the disaster was caused or worsened by any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty, or other systemic failures by any individual, entity, or institution. This includes examining the vessel's maintenance history, its physical condition, sea tides, the functionality of its navigation and communication equipment, and other operational elements. Ultimately, President Ali expressed hope that the commission's findings will lead to robust institutional and operational reforms to bolster maritime safety, enhance emergency preparedness, and prevent similar disasters in the future.
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