Search area expanded to 1,070 square kilometres as authorities deploy new technology to account for everyone aboard
The search for those still unaccounted for following the capsizing of the MV Barima has entered a new phase, with authorities deploying advanced life-detection scanners, specialised divers and significantly expanding the search area in an effort to locate every passenger and crew member.
Speaking to relatives gathered at the Umana Yana on Sunday, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, said the operation has been strengthened through support from private-sector partners in the oil and gas industry, which have provided vessels equipped with technology capable of detecting signs of life over large sections of water.
“While we were depending on eyesight or somebody screaming, we’re now scanning,” Edghill said. “The scanners will tell us where life exists so rescuers can move directly into those areas.”
The minister said the new technology represents a major enhancement to the ongoing search, allowing rescue teams to cover a much wider area more efficiently.
At the same time, teams of divers have been deployed to the site where the MV Barima sank and have begun entering the vessel as part of the search operation.
“We must leave no stone unturned,” Edghill said, explaining that rescuers are searching every possible location in the effort to account for everyone who was aboard.
The search area has also been expanded dramatically—from 400 square kilometres during the initial response to approximately 1,070 square kilometres—as aircraft, Coast Guard vessels, private boats and local fishing vessels continue combing the waters.
Edghill assured relatives that once anyone is located, their families are contacted immediately before any public announcement is made.
“We have established direct lines of communication with the families,” he said, adding that officials are committed to keeping relatives informed throughout the operation.
The minister also sought to dispel speculation circulating on social media that the MV Barima was overloaded.
He said the vessel has a cargo capacity of 284 tonnes but was carrying only 268 tonnes of manifested cargo. It is licensed to carry more than 300 passengers, yet there were 116 passengers on board at the time of the incident.
Edghill further noted that the vessel was equipped with the required life-saving equipment, including 250 life jackets, six inflatable life rafts and rigid life rafts. He said many of the 67 people rescued were recovered from the inflatable life rafts after the vessel went down.
He also praised local fisherfolk, describing them as an invaluable part of the operation because of their intimate knowledge of the waters off Guyana’s coast.
“Their efforts have yielded results,” the minister said.
Rescue teams continue to provide regular operational briefings as the Government maintains that every available resource is being deployed to locate and account for all passengers and crew members aboard the MV Barima.
The Government has established three Emergency Family Assistance Centres to provide information, support and assistance to relatives of passengers and crew involved in the MV Barima tragedy.
The centres are located at:
- Port Kaituma Community Centre, Port Kaituma, Region One — 662-3577
- NAREI Extension Centre (Kumaka), Mabaruma, Region One — 769-3541
- Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown — 658-2050
Officials are urging relatives seeking information or support to contact or visit the nearest assistance centre, where personnel are available to provide updates, psychosocial support and other services as the search-and-rescue operation continues.
