MV Barima Tragedy: CoI commissioners visit dry docks responsible for vessel maintenance, repairs

The five-member Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the MV Barima tragedy on Friday visited two dry docks along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) as part of its ongoing efforts to gather information ahead of the formal hearings.
The two facilities were used in the maintenance and repair of the MV Barima at various times before the July 18, 2026 tragedy. The visits allowed commissioners to familiarise themselves with the sites as they prepare for the commencement of formal hearings on October 14.

Friday’s inspections followed visits on Thursday to the Transport and Harbours Department’s (T&HD) Goods Wharf in Kingston, Georgetown, as well as the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the T&HD.
The site visits are part of the Commission’s preliminary fact-finding process, aimed at giving members a better understanding of the facilities, operations and circumstances relevant to the investigation into the MV Barima tragedy.
The passenger and cargo ferry had departed the Kingston Goods Wharf in Georgetown at about 15:15h on its scheduled journey to Port Kaituma in the North West District.
However, at about 23:01h, the vessel transmitted a distress signal after encountering difficulties off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River.
A total of 179 persons, including 18 crew members, were onboard. The disaster claimed 73 lives, while 76 persons survived, and approximately 30 remain unaccounted for.
Three T&HD employees have since been charged with murder over the tragedy. The accused were all members of the MV Barima’s crew on July 18, the day of the fatal incident. They are Captain Kevin Price, called “KP”, 40, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and goods superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WCB).
The CoI into the MV Barima tragedy, chaired by Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith, conducted a site visit on Thursday at the T&HD wharf in Kingston, Georgetown.
All the other members of the Commission, including Captain Hamada Fouda, Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard, and Dr Andrzej Jasionowski, were also at the site visit.
Speaking at the wharf following the visit, Secretary to the Commission and Attorney-at-Law Javid Shadick said the Commissioners visited the T&HD wharf in Kingston, Georgetown, where they inspected the bond area, passenger facilities, and the MV Militia, which was docked at the port.
The Commissioners also visited the T&HD’s building in Kingston.
Meanwhile, in explaining the importance of the investigation, Shadick noted that the Commissioners each specialise in different areas.
The CoI into the MV Barima tragedy commenced its work on Wednesday, with the Commissioners meeting with witnesses.
During that meeting, families were informed that the contract to salvage the sunken vessel had been awarded to Guyanese-owned company BK International for $1.3 billion.
The relatives were also told that the process of raising the MV Barima could begin before the end of October, nearly three months after the vessel capsized, killing 73 persons, with another 30 remaining unaccounted for.
In addition, the Commissioners assured the families that the inquiry would be conducted over a six-month period without interference.
They also disclosed that, since their appointment, they had collected documents and statements that must be verified before they could be admitted as evidence.