MV Barima survivors, relatives of victims to testify
Key Points(5)
- Survivors of the MV Barima tragedy and relatives of those who died are expected to testify when Guyana’s Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) resumes public hearings on Nov.
- 10, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said.
- Nandlall said the hearings are expected to continue into December, with personnel from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) also expected to give evidence.
- The commission suspended oral hearings on Oct.
- 22 to allow its secretariat to visit survivors in their communities and take statements in settings where they might feel more comfortable.
Survivors of the MV Barima tragedy and relatives of those who died are expected to testify when Guyana’s Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) resumes public hearings on Nov. 10, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said.
Nandlall said the hearings are expected to continue into December, with personnel from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) also expected to give evidence.
The commission suspended oral hearings on Oct. 22 to allow its secretariat to visit survivors in their communities and take statements in settings where they might feel more comfortable.
Commission Chair Belizean Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith stressed that the pause “does not mean that the work of the commission comes to a standstill.”
During seven days of hearings at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the commission heard testimony from 33 witnesses, including first responders from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and Air Corps, as well as officials from MARAD and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.
The commission was sworn in on July 30, 2026. Its other members are Polish physician Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski, Jamaican Captain Hamada Fouda, Trinidad and Tobago attorney Nyree Dawn Alfonso, and retired Trinidad and Tobago Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard.
The inquiry is tasked with determining the cause of the incident, examining whether maritime laws and regulations were followed, and assessing the search and rescue operation.
At the conclusion of its work, the commission is expected to submit its findings, observations and recommendations to President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
The MV Barima capsized on July 18 while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
