-two of three GDF copters were out of service when tragedy struck
The death toll from the MV Barima tragedy has risen to 65 following the recovery of five more bodies yesterday, as Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil joined the search and recovery operation and authorities prepared to reposition and refloat the capsized vessel.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips, providing the latest update yesterday afternoon, said 44 of the 65 recovered bodies have been positively identified by relatives, while 23 have so far been released to families for funeral rites and burial. The number of confirmed survivors remains at 76.
Since the government’s earlier update at 13:00 hrs, maritime assets and personnel from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Brazilian Navy arrived at the wreckage site to assist with diving and other specialised recovery activities.
A total of 19 vessels and three aircraft are now involved in the operation, while smaller vessels deployed by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) are searching further inland for any remaining passengers. Technical teams are also assessing how best to reposition the capsized MV Barima to allow divers greater access to the wreckage.
According to the government, the current plan is to reposition the vessel and install maritime salvage airbags, or buoyancy balloons, around the wreckage to restore buoyancy. Once refloated, the vessel is expected to be towed closer to shore to facilitate further search and recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, Phillips disclosed that a third person, identified as a superintendent who oversaw the loading of the MV Barima, has been detained as the criminal investigation into the tragedy continues. Phillips said his understanding was that the superintendent, whom he identified as ‘Mr Granderson,’ was invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning about his actions and subsequently turned himself in accompanied by an attorney.
He explained that the superintendent had responsibility for operations at the wharf, including ticket sales, cargo and staff, although the mate and captain ultimately had authority to determine what was allowed aboard the vessel.
The captain also remained in police custody as of yesterday. Asked by Kiskadee Watch whether a decision had been made on charging or releasing the captain, Phillips responded: “My understanding is the captain is detained, and he remains detained.”
Questions also continued yesterday over the availability of GDF helicopters during the critical early hours of the search-and-rescue operation. At an earlier press conference, Phillips had said he was unaware that two of the GDF’s helicopters were out of service when the disaster occurred.
Asked whether he had since determined why more helicopters were not deployed during the initial rescue effort and the current status of the aircraft, Phillips confirmed that only one GDF helicopter was operational. “The fact is the GDF used what was available, and what was available was one helicopter, one serviceable helicopter, and that was used,” he said.
Phillips said the GDF has two other helicopters, but both are down for maintenance and awaiting parts that were ordered. “They’re awaiting some part that was ordered, and as soon as the part comes, it will be installed, and the helicopter will go through the process that is required for it to be certified and be ready to fly again,” he explained, noting that the GDF was still awaiting the arrival of the required parts in Guyana.
Questions were also asked about the availability and accessibility of life jackets aboard the MV Barima, particularly as survivors have recounted clinging to various objects after the vessel capsized.
Asked whether the life jackets had been locked away, Phillips rejected that suggestion, saying that based on his own experience travelling aboard the vessel, they were stored above and alongside passenger seating areas and were “never locked away”. He pointed to an account from Harry Singh, who had said floating life jackets helped him identify the location of the sunken vessel.
Phillips said the vessel carried 250 life jackets, six inflatable rafts capable of carrying 25 people each and two rigid rafts, each also capable of carrying 25 people.
Compensation
Meanwhile, no compensation package has yet been determined for the families of those who died or for survivors. Asked by Kiskadee Watch whether the government had begun working out compensation arrangements, Phillips said that issue would be considered following a Commission of Inquiry (CoI). “No compensation has been worked out as yet,” he said.
“As we close off the rescue and recovery operation, it’s the intention of the government to have the Commission of Inquiry mounted as soon as possible. After the Commission of Inquiry, then the issues of compensation and so will be determined because it will be guided by the Commission of Inquiry, the report and the recommendations,” he shared.
Phillips cautioned against making a determination of negligence before the investigation is completed. He said the government’s immediate focus remains on recovering the dead and providing financial and other assistance to bereaved families, including helping to cover funeral and burial expenses. “That is not deemed compensation. That is government’s responsibility in times like these to assist families,” he said.
However, the Prime Minister was unable to provide an update on how far the government had progressed in establishing the promised CoI. Asked by Kiskadee Watch what progress had been made in putting the inquiry together, Phillips said: “I am not in a position to report on the efforts to put together the CoI at this press conference.”
He nevertheless reiterated the government’s intention to establish an independent inquiry “as early as possible”.
Observers have pointed out that St Lucia yesterday announced a Commission of Inquiry into a deadly maritime collision that occurred on the same day as the MV Barima capsizing.
Phillips was also unable to say how many survivors were rescued directly by State agencies on the first day of rescues and how many were initially pulled from the water by fishermen and other civilian boat operators.
Asked by Kiskadee Watch for a breakdown of the rescues carried out on Sunday morning, Phillips said he did not have those figures and explained that the operation had been coordinated by the Coast Guard, with State and civilian vessels working together. “I don’t have that figure,” he said, explaining that rescued persons were often transferred between boats so smaller vessels could quickly return to the search.
Phillips said this made it difficult to determine which agency or civilian vessel should be credited with individual rescues, as the priority at the time was getting survivors to safety and returning available boats to the search area as quickly as possible.
President Irfaan Ali has meanwhile declared three days of national mourning for those who lost their lives in the tragedy, with national flags to be flown at half-mast. Wednesday was also declared a National Day of Prayer, with a national service of prayer and reflection scheduled for 18:00 hrs at the Kingston Seawall.
Further nights of reflection and prayer are scheduled for Port Kaituma today and Mabaruma tomorrow as search and recovery efforts continue.
Discussion