President to announce members of international, independent COI today

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that he will, on Sunday, July 26, reveal the names of the five-member international and independent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that will investigate every aspect of the MV Barima tragedy, including the circumstances leading to the disaster, the emergency response and any failures that may have contributed to the country’s deadliest maritime incident in decades.

In an address to the nation on Saturday, the Head of State said the commission will comprise distinguished experts and professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in law, marine engineering, maritime safety and disaster investigation.
He explained that the members have been carefully selected for their independence, technical expertise and proven ability, and that the commission will determine its own procedures and methods of work.
According to the President, the commission will conduct a thorough and impartial examination of the tragedy, including the circumstances leading to the capsizing and sinking of the vessel, the response efforts and all related matters.

Its work, he said, will identify shortcomings or failures, recommend accountability where warranted and propose reforms to strengthen the safety and reliability of Guyana’s maritime transportation system.
Among the matters to be examined are the causes and contributing factors behind the disaster, including the loading of the vessel; passenger-boarding procedures; conditions aboard the ferry, its seaworthiness, maintenance history, compliance with maritime laws and safety standards; the conduct and competence of the master and crew; vessel management; life-saving arrangements, as well as weather, sea conditions and other operational factors.
The commission will also review the search, rescue and recovery operations, assessing the adequacy, coordination and effectiveness of the response mounted by all agencies and stakeholders involved.
President Ali said the commission will have the authority to determine whether negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty or institutional failures contributed to the tragedy and to recommend legislative, regulatory, institutional and operational reforms to prevent a similar disaster from occurring again.
“Importantly, the commission will be empowered to determine whether any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty, or institutional failures contributed to or caused this tragedy and to recommend any legislative, regulatory, institutional, or operational reforms necessary to prevent a recurrence,” the President said.
The announcement comes as search-and-recovery efforts continue one week after the MV Barima capsized while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma on the night of July 18.
Authorities have since confirmed that 179 passengers and 17 crew were aboard the vessel. As of Saturday, 73 bodies have been recovered, 69 of whom have been positively identified by relatives. Sixty-three bodies have been released to their families, while six others are being transported to their home communities for burial. Seventy-six persons were rescued, while search-and-recovery teams continue efforts to account for those still missing.
The operation remains one of the largest ever mounted in Guyana, involving the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force, the Civil Defence Commission, the French Armed Forces, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, the Brazilian Navy and other local and international partners. Divers continue to search inside the partially submerged vessel, while aircraft and maritime assets comb an expanded search area off Guyana’s coast.
The government has repeatedly pledged that the investigation into the tragedy will be independent and transparent, with Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips previously indicating that the commission’s findings will guide accountability and reforms within Guyana’s maritime transport sector.
President Ali also called on Guyanese to remain united as the nation continues to grieve.
“As we continue to navigate this difficult period in our history, I ask for our continued prayers, our continued love, unconditional love, and support for the families and survivors. As a nation, as a people, let us rise on this occasion together in love, unity, prayers and faith,” he said.