—67 rescued as air, sea and local fishing fleets continue search; three command centres established to coordinate response and support families.
The search for passengers and crew from the MV Barima intensified on Sunday, with the search area expanded to 1,070 square kilometres and additional air and sea assets deployed as authorities continued efforts to account for every person who was aboard the vessel.
Providing an update from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, said the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre remains fully engaged in overseeing the operation following the vessel’s distress call while en route to Port Kaituma, Region One.
The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, which is leading the operation, reported that as of noon, 67 people had been rescued. Those rescued comprise 41 men, 11 women and 15 children, including six boys and nine girls.
The survivors were taken to medical facilities at Charity and Lima, where they are receiving treatment under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony is coordinating the medical response with support from emergency personnel. Psychosocial support is also being provided to relatives gathered at the Umana Yana in Georgetown.
Phillips said the operation has grown significantly since first light, with the search area increasing from 400 square kilometres to 1,070 square kilometres.
Additional aircraft, marine vessels and other resources from both the public and private sectors have been deployed, while local fisherfolk with extensive knowledge of the area have joined the search.
Three command centres were established from 7:00 a.m. in Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and at the Umana Yana in Georgetown to coordinate rescue efforts and provide support to affected families.
Authorities have also engaged the families of those rescued, along with relatives of all passengers and crew listed on the vessel’s manifest.
The Prime Minister disclosed that both the captain and the mate, who were rescued, have since returned to the search area to assist rescuers. Local leaders in Region Two, supported by the Civil Defence Commission and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, are also providing counselling and psychosocial assistance.
Phillips reiterated that the MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets, six inflatable life rafts and two rigid life rafts. He added that while the vessel has a cargo capacity of 284 tonnes, it was carrying 268 tonnes of cargo at the time of the incident.
He further noted that the vessel is licensed to carry more than 300 passengers and that there were 116 passengers and 17 crew members on board during the voyage. The MV Barima was last dry-docked in 2024, remains within its required docking schedule, is fitted with new engines and normally makes three to four trips to Port Kaituma each month.
Phillips said the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has received messages of support from members of both the public and private sectors, while rescue teams remain focused on locating everyone who was aboard the vessel.
He commended the men and women involved in the operation, including those conducting searches at sea and those providing logistical, medical and emergency support.
The Prime Minister said the Government continues to work closely with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, with President Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo remaining actively engaged to ensure all available State resources are deployed in support of the ongoing operation.
Search and rescue efforts remain ongoing, while officials continue to provide updates and support to families awaiting news of their loved ones.
