MV Barima tragedy: Arrangements being finalised for CoI public hearings

The Commission of Inquiry (COI) that was set up to probe the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima is currently working on finalising arrangements to commence public hearings.

Attorney Javid Shadick, Secretary to the Commission, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday that once those arrangements are completed, a public notice will be issued.
That notice will outline the details and inform the public and media on how the hearings will be conducted.
Shadick also indicated that the secretariat is currently addressing the legal and administrative requirements that will guide the proceedings.
“They’re working on checking the legal aspects,” Shadick said, explaining that the Commission is considering the various scenarios that may arise during the hearings in order to ensure the inquiry is conducted properly and without any complications.
On July 18, the MV Barima capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast while en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), with 179 people on board. While 76 persons survived the horrific boat accident, 73 persons have been confirmed dead, and another 30 remain unaccounted for.

President Dr Irfaan Ali subsequently appointed a five-member commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the ferry. The Commissioners were sworn in on July 30.
Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize, a Caricom High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and an ad hoc justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, will be leading the inquiry as its Chairman.
The other four Commissioners are: Captain Hamada Fouda, a senior maritime surveyor and compliance auditor with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica; Nyree Dawn Alfonso, an Attorney-at-Law with expertise in admiralty and maritime law in Trinidad and Tobago; Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, a naval architect and marine engineer who has advised on investigations into several major maritime disasters; and Rear Admiral (Retired) Hayden Pritchard, a maritime professional with decades of experience in maritime operations and maritime security from Trinidad and Tobago.
The commission is expected to submit its findings, observations and recommendations to President Ali upon completion of its investigation.
At the swearing-in ceremony, President Ali had noted that the Government has a solemn duty to establish the truth behind the MV Barima tragedy.
“Our nation deserves a full, fair, and impartial account of what occurred, why it occurred, and what must be done to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. It is in fulfilment of that responsibility that this Commission of Inquiry has been established,” he posited.
The Commission has been entrusted with a comprehensive mandate to enquire into every relevant aspect of this disaster. With Terms of Reference (ToRs) that are deliberately broad and searching, the Commission is required to determine the facts, examine the causes and contributing factors, evaluate compliance with applicable laws and operational standards, assess the effectiveness of the search, rescue, and recovery operations, identify any shortcomings or failures, and recommend reforms necessary to strengthen the safety and resilience of the local maritime transportation system.
According to President Ali, “The nation awaits such a report. The families who have suffered unimaginable loss await these answers. Future generations deserve the assurance that every lesson that can be learned from this tragedy will indeed be learned.”
Meanwhile, the Government has initiated efforts to recover the sunken vessel, with the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, through the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), seeking a specialised marine salvage contractor.
In fact, today, August 14, is the deadline for interested and suitably qualified companies to submit their 10-page proposals in response to the Expression of Interest (EoI).
The MV Barima is located in approximately 13 to 15 metres of water, with strong tidal currents, limited underwater visibility and challenging sea conditions presenting significant technical considerations for the salvage operation.
According to MARAD, “The Contractor must propose methods and sequences for all stages of the operation.”
The Department said a reputable salvage company with a proven track record of successful vessel salvage operations in Guyanese or wider Caribbean waters, particularly in environments characterised by strong currents and restricted visibility, is being sought.
Moreover, President Ali has also established the HEART Initiative, which brings together humanitarian assistance, psychosocial and trauma counselling, social services, spiritual guidance and other forms of support for survivors and bereaved families of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy.