AN after-action report of the MV Barima search and rescue operation will be conducted once the mission has officially concluded to identify lessons that could strengthen Guyana’s emergency response capabilities.
The disclosure was made by Chief of the General Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts, during a press briefing on Tuesday.
He said the review will not only examine the response to the tragedy but also identify gaps in equipment, coordination and operational capabilities.
“This operation will not be completed from our side until that activity takes place,” Colonel Roberts emphasised.
He added that the review will begin within a day or two after search operations end.
He explained that investigators will analyse a comprehensive record of the operation, including communications from the moment the distress signal was received through the various agencies involved.
These records include transmissions between the control tower, lighthouse, Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, the GDF Coast Guard and other participating agencies, as well as official reports and press releases.
The findings, he said, will be compiled into an after-action report that will inform recommendations to improve preparedness and response.
“The whole mechanism, the interagency approach that was adopted for this operation, all the stakeholders at different stages will be part of that after-action,” he explained.
Additionally, Captain John Flores of the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre said it is too early to draw conclusions while the operation remains active.
However, he said the exercise will help address existing gaps and provide valuable guidance for improving future search and rescue operations. (DPI)