MV Barima salvage tender: Opposition will never be satisfied with Govt’s response, would criticise any approach – AG

Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall has dismissed criticism of the Government’s decision to invite tenders for the salvaging of the MV Barima, arguing that the Opposition would have levelled similar criticism had the Administration opted to sole-source the contract.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, has invited qualified and experienced marine salvage contractors to submit Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the recovery of the ferry, which sank off the Essequibo Coast on July 18. The tragedy claimed the lives of 73 passengers, while about 30 others remain unaccounted for.
The decision to go out to tender has, however, drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised that the procurement process could delay the recovery operation. Addressing those concerns during his programme Issues in the News on Tuesday, Nandlall maintained that the Government would have faced criticism regardless of the approach taken, contending that the Opposition would have objected just as strongly, had the contract been awarded through sole-sourcing.
“They were calling for the boat to be raised. President Irfaan Ali indicated that he met with the families of the persons who are missing, and they requested that the boat ought not to be raised. Apparently, the families changed their minds, and they requested that the boat be raised. The Government said, ‘Okay, we will raise the boat; it will cost somewhere between US$8 and US$10 million. A tender is out to salvage the boat.’ So, you would have thought that the Opposition got what they wanted, because they were saying that the Government doesn’t want to raise the boat, because the Government has something to hide. So, they got their wishes granted. Now they have a problem with that; they are critical of that,” Nandlall contended.
“If the Government had gone and chosen some company to do the job, they would have said that the Government is handpicking some family and friend, and there would be a cover-up. Now the Government has gone to open tender, and that now they have a problem with it,” he highlighted.
According to Nandlall, this shows the Opposition is only concerned about exploiting the MV Barima tragedy for political mileage.
“The point I am making; no matter what is done, these people will not be satisfied because they are not concerned about this tragedy and about the lives lost, and about the suffering and pain, and grief of anyone. They are concerned about milking this tragedy as much as they can, to make as much political gains that they can make from this horrendous human tragedy,” he contended.
Just last week, Nandlall accused the Opposition of exploiting the tragedy, saying its members appear more concerned with blaming the Government than supporting those affected by the incident.
He had contended that “they see this as ‘the Government must be held responsible’, and they take great joy in trying to push the blame on the Government; that is all that they are concerned about.”

Open tender
In the tender advertisement published on Saturday, MARAD explained that the MV Barima is a passenger and cargo ferry of approximately 38.6 metres (m) in length overall, 8.9m in beam, and 2.9m in depth, registered in Georgetown, Guyana, and fitted with twin Caterpillar C18 diesel main engines and Caterpillar diesel generator sets.
According to the department, the vessel is presently lying as a wreck in approximate positions: Latitude 07° 28′.213 North, Longitude 058° 23′.443 West, in water depths of about 13-15 metres (42-49 feet).
“Visibility at the wreck site is poor, and strong currents and tidal streams may be encountered at times, necessitating suitably robust procedures and equipment for safe operations… The Contractor must propose methods and sequences for all stages of the operation,” the ad detailed.
To this end, MARAD said it is seeking reputable salvage companies with a proven track record of successful vessel salvage operations in Guyanese or wider Caribbean waters, particularly environments characterised by strong currents and restricted visibility.
Moreover, proposals must include a description of the proposed technical approach for the MV Barima salvage, with emphasis on the measures to protect and document forensic evidence for use by the Commission of Inquiry that was set up to probe the tragedy. Additionally, companies are asked to specify environmental protection measures.
Proposals, not exceeding 10 pages excluding appendices such as CVs and project sheets, are expected to be submitted electronically in PDF format to [email protected] no later than close of business on Friday, August 14, 2026. MARAD says late submissions may not be considered.
Following the review of EoIs, MARAD reserves the right to shortlist firms and issue a detailed Request for Proposals/Tender Document, including technical specifications, site data, contractual conditions, and commercial terms, to selected companies only.
MV Barima was en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), with 179 persons onboard when it capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast on the night July 18.
The Office of the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that search and recovery operations following the MV Barima tragedy have concluded, but the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains operational.