Three students of the Port Kaituma Secondary School and a 14-year-old footballer have been identified as among the dead after Saturday night’s sinking of the MV Barima, as tributes continue to pour in while grieving relatives speak publicly about what they say were longstanding problems with the vessel.
The Port Kaituma Secondary School, in a Facebook post, said it was mourning the tragic loss of students Andriel Brustia, Christiano Rodrigues and Claibelis Fraser.
The school described the trio as cherished members of the Port Kaituma Secondary School family who would be remembered not only for their academic pursuits but also for their personalities, smiles and the dreams they shared.
In a statement, the school’s administration, staff, students and the wider community extended condolences to the families, loved ones and friends of the three students.
“Their passing has left an immeasurable void in our school and the wider Port Kaituma community. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” the statement said, quoting Psalm 34:18.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Blue Water Shipping Guyana Inc. also expressed condolences following the death of 14-year-old Shamera Smith of White Water Village, Region One.
Smith, whose body was recovered on Monday, had recently represented Wauna Primary School in the Blue Water Shipping Girls Under-15 National Championship.
According to the organisations, her participation in the championship highlighted both her passion for football and the promise she showed as a young athlete.
The GFF said her untimely death was a profound loss to her family, teammates, school, community and the wider football fraternity.
In a joint statement, the GFF and Blue Water Shipping Guyana Inc. extended sympathies to Smith’s family, friends, teammates and all others affected by the tragedy.
Overloaded
Meanwhile, Diane Cort, whose husband Neil Cort and brother Kenrick Cort were among those whose bodies have since been recovered, has alleged that the vessel was overloaded and experiencing mechanical problems before it departed on its final voyage.
Speaking in an interview with Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul shortly after the bodies of her husband and brother were recovered, Cort recounted her firsthand knowledge of the vessel’s operations.
Neil Cort had operated the canteen aboard the MV Barima for more than 20 years and Diane said she worked alongside him for nearly two decades.
She said the vessel had long experienced mechanical problems and alleged that on its final voyage it departed heavily loaded with passengers and cargo, including large boxes and motorbikes.
According to Cort, conversations with engineers aboard the vessel led her to understand that only one engine was operational and that repairs had not been completed before the vessel sailed.
This account coincided with what survivor Donald Modestee had told Kiskadee Watch. The man had said only one engine was working at the time and that the boat was overloaded.
Despite concerns about the vessel’s condition, she alleged, it was dispatched while overloaded and with unresolved mechanical issues.
Cort did not hide her criticism of the authorities responsible for maritime safety, saying she believed the government and its officials had been dishonest and dismissive of the dangers faced by people who depended on the ferry service.
She also accused the Transport and Harbours Department of operating what she described as a broken system that responds only after tragedy occurs.
According to Cort, the vessel’s excessive weight combined with its mechanical problems caused it to sink.
“The boat was overloaded. The weight was too much. I remember now, normally in the engine room, because them engineers, they come and sometimes they come and sit down and they’re gaffing me. It’s two engineers be down in that engine room. They do pack things, motorbike, everything, they pack up top there. If it wasn’t for that second generator, that boat would have reached its destiny. It’s that generator carried on that boat,” she said.
She maintained that the vessel’s single functioning engine was placed under immense strain and that this contributed to the disaster when a large wave struck, causing the vessel to capsize.
Cort also reflected on the loss of her husband, describing him as a caring and generous man who always placed others before himself.
“I lose a very good husband,” she said.
She explained that while Neil operated the canteen aboard the vessel, the income it generated was often insufficient, prompting him to supplement his earnings by selling additional food items to passengers.
“You know, sometimes the canteen doesn’t really push out that much money. So, he does say, you know, it didn’t make sense going so far and come back with nothing. So, what he does normally do now, he would buy eggs and would carry a little bread and tennis roll for sell, some greens and he does carry chicken and people does buy. That does bring up the money. Sometimes it depends on the canteen money. Everything gone, he use to look forward this time of the year. He said school children going home and they does want things to buy like snack and them things,” she said.
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