Lance Corporal Job Thom, a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has recounted the harrowing moments after he survived the sinking of the MV Barima and rescued 11 fellow passengers from the water, saying he acted instinctively as cries for help echoed through the darkness.
Speaking with Kiskadee Watch, Thom described waking to find the vessel already flooding before it capsized.
“I had been sleeping. When I opened my eyes, the water was already touching me. I jumped out of the boat when it turned over. When the bottom ended up at the top, I started running on the bottom of the boat. As it touched the water, I plunged out and ended up in the water,” he recalled.
He said he remained in the water for about two minutes before grabbing onto a floating container. Moments later, he noticed a life raft automatically inflate nearby.
According to Thom, another passenger reached the raft first but accidentally kicked him back into the water as it deployed. After catching his breath, he swam around to another side of the raft and managed to climb aboard.
Once inside, however, Thom said there was no time to recover.
“When I heard people calling for help, I started pulling people into the boat. The waves were really rough. I had no time to think. I just did what I had to do, pulling people in like I was mad,” he said.
Among the most difficult rescues was a heavily-built man from Port Kaituma.
“He was panicking and holding onto my hand. He put all his weight on me. I kept telling myself to let him hold on. I struggled with him for about 10 minutes before someone else helped pull him into the raft,” Thom said.
The physical effort eventually took its toll.
“I got weak really bad and lay down for a little while. About a minute later, I saw a little hand. When I looked outside, it was a little girl. She grabbed my left hand tightly and I pulled her into the boat. She was the last person I rescued.”
After rescuing the child, Thom said the cries for help ceased.
“We couldn’t hear anyone else. It was just quiet and dark.”
He and the other survivors drifted through the night until they were rescued at approximately 6 a.m. Thom said there were 11 people aboard the life raft when rescuers arrived.
He added that following the ordeal, the GDF’s Chief of Defence Staff spoke with him and has remained in contact.
In recognition of his actions, the White Water Village Council has publicly honoured Thom, describing him as a hero whose courage and selflessness saved lives during one of Guyana’s worst maritime disasters.
In a statement, the council said Thom, a proud son of White Water Village and a dedicated soldier of the Guyana Defence Force, was among the passengers aboard the MV Barima when it sank. Faced with fear, darkness and uncertainty, he chose not to focus solely on his own survival but instead repeatedly risked his life to save others.
The council noted that Thom rescued 11 people, including a man nearly twice his size, saying his courage, strength and determination gave those individuals “another chance at life.”
“Today, Job’s family is filled with gratitude that he survived such a terrifying ordeal. The people of White Water Village are equally thankful, not only because one of our own returned home safely, but because he returned as a hero whose bravery saved many others,” the statement said.
The council said Thom’s actions reflected the values of courage, compassion and putting others before oneself.
“Lance Corporal Thom has made White Water proud. His actions remind us of the values we hold dear: courage, compassion, and putting others before ourselves,” the statement added.
The council also extended its appreciation to the young soldier, praying that God would continue to bless and protect him, granting him “a long, healthy and fulfilling life as he continues to serve his country and inspire future generations.”
It concluded by declaring: “Job Thom is our hero—a brave, young and strong son of White Water. We are proud of you.”
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