–Two dead, 67 rescued as search continues; captain, first engineer test positive for cannabis, passenger manifest found to be inaccurate

THE Government of Guyana has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the MV Barima, after authorities uncovered serious irregularities in the vessel’s passenger manifest and confirmed that the captain and first engineer tested positive for cannabis.

This was disclosed during a Sunday evening press conference, during which Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said the developments were “deeply concerning and shocking”, while assuring the nation that every available resource continues to be deployed in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.

According to the Prime Minister, the MV Barima departed Port Georgetown at approximately 15:15 hrs on Saturday bound for Port Kaituma, carrying what was reported on its official manifest as 116 passengers, 17 crew members, and approximately 268 tonnes of cargo.

At about 2300hrs, the Timehri Control Tower received a distress signal from the vessel, as well as voice messages. The Maritime Emergency Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was immediately activated, triggering a full-scale search-and-rescue operation involving the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Coast Guard, other State agencies and private sector partners.

The Coast Guard arrived in the vicinity of Iron Punt at approximately 02:30 hrs on Sunday, and has remained engaged in continuous rescue efforts.

Preliminary reports indicate that the vessel capsized approximately seven miles offshore, near the Pomeroon River.

As of Sunday afternoon, authorities had rescued 67 persons.

To support affected families, the government has  established Emergency Family Assistance Centres at the Umana Yana in Georgetown, Port Kaituma, and Mabaruma, where officials continue to provide updates, counselling, and other support services.

However, Phillips told the conference that rescue efforts uncovered major discrepancies in the vessel’s documentation.

Authorities discovered that several persons who were rescued were not listed on the official passenger manifest. Additionally, medical examinations confirmed that two crew members, the captain and first engineer, tested positive for cannabis.

The Prime Minister said these findings prompted the government to immediately launch a high-level investigation involving the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Maritime Administration Department and other technical maritime experts.

The investigation will examine the accuracy of the passenger manifest, the loading of passengers and cargo, compliance with maritime safety regulations, and the conduct of the captain and crew before and during the voyage.

“Let me be absolutely clear: Where negligence, misconduct or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the full force of the law. There will be no exemptions and no tolerance for actions that place innocent lives at risk,” PM Phillips said.

He also announced that the government will release the vessel’s manifest, together with updated lists of rescued and missing persons, noting that these records would continue to be revised as verification efforts progress.

The Prime Minister, however, assured affected relatives that the government would continue to stand with them throughout the ordeal while search efforts remain ongoing.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill described the revelations as both “outrageous” and unacceptable, saying he was deeply disappointed that information provided to the government by officials within the Transport and Harbours Department have proven to be inaccurate.

He said every update issued throughout the day had been based on information received from the Department, making the discovery of unmanifested passengers particularly alarming.

By Sunday evening, authorities had confirmed two deaths. The second victim, a female, was discovered shortly before 18:00hrs, after an expanded shoreline search involving 15 boats, including vessels operated by local fisherfolk and maritime officials.

Edghill said the search operation remains active, with the Guyana Coast Guard leading efforts supported by local agencies, private sector partners and offers of assistance from regional and international counterparts.

He explained that aerial surveillance, sonar technology, riverbed scanning equipment and divers have all been deployed as authorities continue searching for missing persons.

The minister said the inaccurate passenger manifest has significantly complicated rescue operations.

Search teams were initially working on the assumption that 133 persons were aboard the vessel, 116 passengers and 17 crew members, but authorities now believe that that figure may be inaccurate because additional survivors were never officially recorded.

“We don’t really know the real number right now,” Edghill said,  adding that the omission of passengers from the manifest amounted to criminal conduct.

He also condemned the positive drug tests recorded for the captain and first engineer, noting that the ministry has long maintained a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drug use among vessel crews.

Random testing is routinely conducted across the Transport and Harbours Department, he said, making the results particularly disturbing.

The minister further addressed the seaworthiness of the MV Barima, explaining that although the vessel is an older one, it had last undergone dry docking in 2024, and was already scheduled for its next routine dry docking later this year.

He said reports circulating Online suggesting the vessel had been declared unseaworthy were inaccurate, and stemmed from standard procurement documents outlining anticipated maintenance works, rather than any engineering assessment declaring the vessel unsafe.

The minister appealed to families who believe relatives may have been aboard the vessel but were not listed on the manifest to immediately contact the emergency response centres, or use the Government hotline so authorities can establish a more accurate account of everyone who may still be missing.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said all rescued passengers received immediate medical attention following the incident.

Of the 67 rescued, 50 were initially taken to the Charity Hospital where they were triaged. Four required additional treatment and were transferred to the Lima Regional Hospital, while another 17 survivors arrived separately by smaller boats and received medical care there.

Only a handful of patients required treatment for injuries, which Dr. Anthony described as generally minor.

Three persons remain under medical observation, but none is believed to have sustained serious injuries and are expected to be discharged.

Dr. Anthony said the Ministry of Health has mobilised a full complement of medical professionals to respond to the emergency, including approximately 15 doctors at the Charity Hospital and close to 40 doctors on standby at the Lima Regional Hospital.

A specialist team from the Georgetown Public Hospital, including a consultant from the Accident and Emergency Department, was also deployed.

Following treatment, survivors were accommodated at the Essequibo Technical Institute where medical personnel and counsellors remained available to provide emotional support while the government coordinated onward transportation.

Many opted to continue to destinations such as Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and surrounding communities, while others chose to return to Georgetown.

The health minister added that eight persons elected to remain in Essequibo so they could receive updates on the search for missing relatives; as such, the government has arranged accommodation, meals and continued support for those families for as long as necessary.

As search-and-rescue operations continue, Government has reiterated that every available resource remains deployed until every possible avenue has been exhausted and has urged members of the public with information about unlisted passengers to come forward immediately.