MV Barima CoI must bring truth and accountability

Dear Editor,

Having followed the proceedings of the first week of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the tragic sinking of the MV Barima^[1], I find myself deeply troubled by the revelations that have emerged so far. My thoughts remain with the families who lost loved ones, the survivors who continue to live with the trauma, and all those whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy.

For me, this inquiry is about much more than establishing how a vessel sank. I believe it must determine whether this tragedy could have been prevented, whether established safety procedures were followed, and whether failures by individuals or institutions contributed to the loss of lives.

I am particularly concerned by the accounts presented by survivors alleging that crew members consumed alcohol and smoked cannabis during the voyage, that the vessel’s engine stopped twice, and that life jackets were kept locked in a wooden enclosure. If these allegations are substantiated, I would regard them as serious failures that demand accountability. Passengers place their lives in the hands of those responsible for operating a vessel, and I believe that responsibility must never be taken lightly.

I am equally concerned about the questions surrounding the emergency response. Evidence presented during the opening hearings indicates that the first satellite distress alert was received at the Timehri Control Tower at approximately 10:43 p.m. on July 18, 2026, while the vessel’s coordinates were relayed to the Coast Guard at approximately 10:51 p.m.^[2] The Commission also heard that the distress beacon’s registration information did not specifically identify it as being associated with the MV Barima.^[3]

These revelations leave me asking some fundamental questions. Were the emergency communication systems sufficiently coordinated? Could the vessel have been identified more quickly? Were established procedures followed, and were the relevant authorities adequately prepared to respond to a maritime emergency of this magnitude?

I am also troubled by the testimony concerning staffing arrangements at the control tower. The officer who handled the distress alerts testified that she was the only trained officer on duty, accompanied by two trainees.^[4] I believe the Commission must determine whether these arrangements were adequate for an operation where delays or errors in handling distress signals could have life-threatening consequences.

At the same time, I do not believe it would be fair to condemn individual officers before all the evidence has been examined. I recognise that Coast Guard personnel who responded to the emergency faced difficult and dangerous circumstances. Their efforts deserve acknowledgment. However, I also believe that recognising the efforts of rescuers must not prevent us from asking whether the emergency response could have been more effective and whether weaknesses in the system contributed to the outcome.

What concerns me most is the possibility that this tragedy may have resulted not from one isolated failure, but from a combination of shortcomings involving vessel safety, crew conduct, passenger management, regulatory oversight and emergency preparedness. I want the Commission to investigate each of these areas thoroughly and establish the facts.

I also believe the inquiry must examine the accuracy of the passenger manifest, the vessel’s seaworthiness, its maintenance history, the loading and distribution of cargo, the availability and accessibility of life-saving equipment, and compliance with applicable maritime safety requirements. Just as importantly, I want to know whether the authorities responsible for enforcing these requirements performed their duties diligently.

I would be deeply disappointed if this inquiry were influenced by political considerations, institutional loyalty or attempts to protect individuals because of their positions or connections. In my view, no one should be above accountability. Equally, no one should be condemned without credible evidence and a fair opportunity to respond. I want justice to be pursued impartially, regardless of who may ultimately be implicated.

I believe the families of those who perished deserve more than expressions of sympathy. They deserve a clear and credible explanation of what happened, why it happened, and what measures will be implemented to prevent a similar tragedy. The survivors also deserve continued support as they attempt to rebuild their lives.

For me, the success of this Commission will not be determined simply by the number of witnesses who testify or the amount of evidence presented. I will judge its success by whether it establishes the truth, identifies the failures, makes practical recommendations and ensures that those recommendations lead to meaningful change.

I want the MV Barima tragedy to become a turning point in Guyana’s approach to maritime safety. If negligence, misconduct or institutional failures are established, I believe those responsible must face the appropriate consequences. If deficiencies in legislation, procedures, training or oversight are identified, I expect them to be addressed urgently.

I do not want this tragedy to become another painful chapter in our national history that generates public outrage for a few weeks before being forgotten. I want the lessons to be lasting, the necessary reforms to be implemented, and those responsible for protecting the travelling public to be held to the highest standards.

My position is simple: I want the truth, I want accountability, and I want meaningful action. The families who lost loved ones deserve justice, the survivors deserve answers, and every Guyanese who travels by water deserves the assurance that everything reasonably possible is being done to prevent another tragedy of this kind.

References

1. Commission of Inquiry Into Fatal Boating Incident in Guyana Begins Public Hearings - Caribbean Today — www.caribbeantoday.com ↩
2. MV BARIMA INQUIRY: COAST GUARD NOTIFIED EIGHT MINUTES AFTER FIRST DISTRESS ALERT | SNN — snn.gy ↩
3. MV Barima distress alert relayed within five minutes – Department of Public Information, Guyana — dpi.gov.gy ↩
4. One trained officer and trainee handled Barima emergency at Timehri tower —commission requests duty roster; outgoing officer did not remain to assist - Kiskadee Watch — kiskadeewatch.com ↩