-Edghill says massive rescue operation underway
A major search-and-rescue operation is continuing this morning after the MV Barima capsized late on Saturday night near Iron Punt in the Pomeroon River while en route to the North West District.
Authorities have confirmed that 67 persons inclusive of 15 children have been rescued so far following the maritime accident, which occurred after the vessel transmitted a distress signal shortly before midnight.
Survivors are being taken to the Essequibo Technical Institute where meals will be provided for them and arrangements will be made to get them back home.
The MV Barima, which was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, was carrying 116 passengers including children when it overturned. Seventeen crew were also aboard for a total of 133.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said the vessel departed Georgetown at approximately 3.15 pm on Saturday. At around 11 pm, the Timehri Air Traffic Control Tower received a distress signal from the vessel, prompting the activation of emergency response protocols.
At a press conference at 6.30 am at the Umana Yana, Edghill, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Mark Phillips, said that a massive government response is in train. Names of the rescued persons cannot be provided at this point. Ministers of the government, the private sector, the Civil Defence Commission and others have been mobilised.
The search-and-rescue operation is being coordinated by the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), and other emergency response agencies, with assistance from private vessels operating in the area.
Minister of Public Utilities, Deodat Indar and Health Minister Frank Anthony have travelled to the area.
Edghill said that Transport and Harbours Department staff will remain at the Umana Yana today to provide information to family members who are seeking information.
Three centres for information have been set up at the Umana Yana, Port Kaituma and Kumaka.
Phillips said that all energies are being devoted to the search and rescue.
Questioned at the press conference, why only one GDF helicopter was deployed, Phillips said that was a decision made by the GDF. He said he was not in a position to say whether two other helicopters available to the GDF were not working.
Edghill said that he was not aware of any leaks on the ferry and to date, the manifest does not indicate any oveweight.
In a statement, this morning, Edghill said that the MV Barima was outfitted with 256 life jackets and had two rigid life rafts and six inflatable life rafts.
In a statement, Roraima Airways said that in the early hours of this morning, it launched a search and rescue operation off the Essequibo Coast after the ferry was reported overdue.
At 1:36 a.m., its BN-2B Islander 8R-GRC, crewed by Capt. Gerald Gouveia Jr. and Capt. Learie Barclay, departed Eugene F. Correia International Airport and arrived over the search area just 20 minutes later.
During the search, Roraima Airways said that the crew observed three SOS distress flares and detected an emergency beacon signal in the same vicinity. The information was immediately relayed to the Search and Rescue Coordination authorities, helping to direct rescue assets to the area.
The aircraft returned safely to Ogle at 2:41 a.m. after completing its assigned mission.
“I am extremely proud of the professionalism and readiness demonstrated by our Roraima Airways flight crew and support team, who responded immediately when called upon.
I also wish to recognize the Guyana Defence Force Air Corps, which subsequently joined the operation, along with the Guyana Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration Department, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, emergency responders, and all the agencies and volunteers who worked together in the search effort”, Gerald Gouveia Sr said.
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