Govt details timeline of MV Barima response as rescue, recovery efforts continue

Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Monday presented the National Assembly with a chronological account of the Government’s response to the MV Barima tragedy, outlining the sequence of events from the vessel’s departure to the ongoing search, rescue and recovery operations. Delivering a statement to the House, Phillips said the MV Barima departed the Transport and Harbours Department (THD) Goods Wharf at 15:30h (3:20pm) on July 18, bound for Port Kaituma with passengers and cargo. According to the PM, a distress signal was received by the Air Traffic Control Centre (ATC) at Timehri at 22:43h (10:43pm). The information was relayed to the Georgetown Lighthouse at 22:01h (11:01pm), which then alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) two minutes later. The MRCC immediately notified the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), and other relevant agencies. The first Coast Guard asset was deployed from the Pomeroon floating base at 22:11h (11:11pm), while the National Search and Rescue (SAR) Committee was assembled at 22:25h (11:25pm). Two additional Coast Guard vessels departed the Ruimveldt Base at 22:40h (11:40pm). The PM said the first five survivors were rescued at 02:27h (2:27am) on July 20, followed by 19 more at 04:14h (4:14am) and another 53 at 05:13h (5:13am). In total, 77 persons were rescued, although one later died.
Search and rescue operations continued throughout July 20 and subsequently transitioned into a full recovery mission. Phillips told the Assembly that the sunken vessel was located on July 20, resting on the seabed approximately 31 nautical miles northwest of the vessel’s initial reported distress location. He credited information provided by Haresh Singh, local fisherfolk, ExxonMobil Guyana, Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc. (VESHI), and Sealand Surveys’ Gilligan Island for helping to confirm the vessel’s location. He said the Ministry of Health and the GPF established joint protocols for the recovery, transportation, storage and identification of victims, with identification procedures conducted at the Suddie Hospital. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remained fully operational while recovery efforts continued.
France provided 15 divers to assist local teams, while recovered bodies were transported to Charity for processing before relatives were invited to identify them at the Suddie Hospital. By July 21, the operation had expanded significantly, with 16 vessels deployed in the search area, which was extended by an additional 400 square miles to Waini Point. French and local divers continued underwater searches while state and private vessels, supported by aerial surveillance, combed the expanded area. Aircraft were also used to transport relatives to the Suddie Hospital to assist with identifying recovered bodies. Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony and his team coordinated the release of identified bodies to relatives, while regional authorities assisted families with funeral arrangements.
On July 22, additional international support arrived, with assets from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Brazilian Navy joining the operation. At that stage, 19 vessels and two aircraft were engaged in the search. Technical teams also began assessing the capsized vessel to determine the safest method of righting it to improve access for divers, while smaller vessels continued searches in inland waterways. Phillips also highlighted the Government’s humanitarian response, noting that President Dr Irfaan Ali declared three days of national mourning. During that period, national flags were flown at half-mast, July 22 was observed as a National Day of Prayer with a service at the Kingston Seawall, and additional nights of reflection and prayer were held in Port Kaituma and Mabaruma. Providing the final operational update issued on July 24, the PM said the search area was further expanded by 32 square miles, stretching west to Waini Point and east to Adventure. Five dives lasting between 45 and 60 minutes were conducted that day, during one of which a body was recovered from inside the vessel. He said this brought the total number of recovered bodies to 73, with 69 positively identified. Phillips said the Government remains committed to supporting affected families and ensuring that every reasonable effort continues in the search and recovery operation.
He also expressed gratitude to the GDF Coast Guard, Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), GPF, Ministry of Health, regional authorities, local fisherfolk, private vessel operators, aviation personnel, divers, medical teams and other stakeholders who participated in the response. The PM further thanked the Governments of France, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil for their assistance during the operation.