Guyana's government has appointed a panel of international experts to investigate the recent sinking of a state ferry that killed dozens of passengers, marking the country's worst maritime disaster on record. The 87-year-old MV Barima capsized in Atlantic waters on June 18 after departing the capital, Georgetown, for Port Kaituma, an Indigenous community near Venezuela.
Authorities believe 179 passengers were on board, but divers have recovered 73 bodies, with 76 individuals rescued. Recovery teams are still attempting to retrieve the vessel for inspection by the appointed experts. President Irfaan Ali stated that the investigative team has been granted extensive powers and is expected to operate independently.
The five-person team is chaired by Phillip Godfrey Smith, former attorney general of Belize. The panel also includes an attorney, a naval architect, and maritime experts from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. They are tasked with investigating the incident, including assessing potential professional negligence.
Local authorities have arrested three individuals, including the rescued captain, who reportedly tested positive for marijuana, and another crew member. President Ali outlined the team's mandate, which includes scrutinizing passenger management, manifest preparation, potential overcrowding, cargo storage, the availability and use of life-saving equipment, and adherence to safety requirements. Survivors have reported that the ferry was overloaded with passengers and cargo, including vehicles and large pallets. Some also claimed that the vessel was taking on water but that the crew dismissed these concerns.
The commission is also expected to determine whether any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty, or other failures by individuals, entities, or institutions contributed to the disaster. This includes assessing the vessel's condition, maintenance history, navigational and communication equipment, and other operational factors. President Ali expressed hope that the commission's findings will lead to recommendations for institutional and operational reforms to enhance maritime safety, improve emergency preparedness, and reduce the likelihood of future tragedies.