Even as the Government of Guyana caved in to mounting public pressure to salvage the MV Barima following the tragedy that has so far claimed 73 lives, some family members are questioning why interested contractors have been given two weeks to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs).
The period is just too long and the matter at hand is severely time sensitive, family members of victims of the tragedy told Kiskadee Watch yesterday, following the notice issued by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) inviting qualified and experienced marine salvage contractors to submit EOIs to undertake the operation.
The invitation was issued under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation two weeks after the maritime disaster that claimed the lives of 73 people with others missing.
“They haven’t officially announced it; they just put out a bid. This was my initial thought. I think this is just a stalling tactic,” Jasmin Cort, who lost her dad Neil Cort and uncle Kenrick Cort in the disaster told this publication yesterday.
She recalled that when she and other families went to meet with President Irfaan Ali last Wednesday, he told them that his technical team was reviewing two proposals from international companies to raise the vessel. “So I thought they would pick one. Is it not time sensitive? I do not feel good or relieved. Why wait until August 14th to close?” she questioned.
Royston Frank, who lost his son, sailor Raul Frank, said he welcomed the government’s decision to recover the MV Barima but observed that the operation should have been undertaken immediately after the tragedy. He said that salvaging the vessel had been the wish of grieving families from the outset and questioned why authorities had delayed taking action.
Frank also urged the government to consider Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed’s offer to finance and carry out the recovery, saying Mohamed had indicated he had access to the expertise needed for the operation. Stressing that the issue should not be viewed through a political lens, Frank said the priority should be recovering the vessel as quickly as possible and allowing anyone capable of doing so to assist.
Another grieving family member, Tianie Thomas, told Kiskadee Watch last night that she is thankful that the boat will be raised as she knew for sure that the families of the deceased and missing do not agree to making the area a memorial site. “I am thankful at least God answered our prayers; every night you are up praying and crying,” she expressed.
Thomas lost two young brothers and had said she was tired of waiting. After burying one of them lately, she said the family still doesn’t have closure as 13-year-old Brian is still missing. “I need the boat to raise. Even if is my brother’s bones, I need to get it,” she said.
Opposition Leader Mohamed, who had proposed to raise the vessel, told Kiskadee Watch after the news of the salvaging broke on Saturday that the decision to raise the MV Barima is the right one. “I welcome it, but the timeline remains far too slow,” he expressed.
“If the government was able to assemble a Commission of Inquiry within days, why should families have to wait another two weeks just for the Expression of Interest process to close before salvage can even begin?” he questioned.
“We are happy the families refused to have the memorial. There are still loved ones trapped inside that vessel. Evidence is being corroded. Every day matters. Swift effort should be made to recover the bodies before further decomposition makes identification even more difficult,” Mohamed said.
He urged that this operation be treated as a national emergency and not as a routine procurement exercise. “I remain willing to offer my assistance in any way that can help expedite this effort. We will continue protesting because we don’t trust this government. With over 100 lives lost, Edghill must go.”
Initially the government had discussed with families of the missing and deceased creating an underwater memorial as salvaging the ferry was believed to be too challenging. The government had even circulated a document to the families seeking their views on the matter. However, intense pressure from families of the victims and others appears to have changed the government’s position.
Meanwhile, according to the notice by MARAD, the MV Barima is lying as a wreck in soft mud at an approximate depth of 13 to 15 metres (42–49 feet), with the agency warning that poor visibility, strong currents and tidal streams at the site would require robust salvage procedures and specialised equipment to safely complete the operation.
The vessel, a passenger and cargo ferry registered in Georgetown, measures approximately 38.6 metres in length, 8.9 metres in beam and 2.9 metres in depth, and is fitted with twin Caterpillar C18 diesel engines and Caterpillar diesel generator sets.
MARAD said the successful contractor will be responsible for proposing the methods and sequence for every stage of the recovery operation. The department said it is seeking companies with a proven track record of successfully recovering vessels in Guyanese or wider Caribbean waters, particularly in environments characterised by strong currents and restricted visibility.
Interested companies must submit detailed information demonstrating their experience over the past five to 10 years, including previous salvage projects, vessel sizes, recovery methods employed and client references. The EOI also requires bidders to outline their proposed technical approach to recovering the MV Barima, with particular emphasis on protecting and documenting forensic evidence that may be required by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI).
Companies must also provide details of key personnel and equipment, environmental protection measures, insurance coverage, health and safety management systems, and indicate how quickly they can begin and complete the operation. Additionally, contractors must demonstrate the ability to keep the recovered vessel upright on a barge for several weeks, a requirement likely intended to facilitate forensic examinations and investigations after the recovery.
MARAD has also requested confirmation that firms are willing to undertake the project under commercial arrangements such as “no cure, no pay,” where applicable. Expressions of Interest, limited to 10 pages excluding appendices, must be submitted electronically to MARAD by the close of business on August 14, 2026. The department said shortlisted firms will subsequently be invited to submit detailed technical and financial proposals.
The notice states that MARAD reserves the right to shortlist firms, issue a detailed Request for Proposals or cancel and re-advertise the process at its discretion.
Protesters have repeatedly demanded that the government “float the boat” before the COI begins hearing evidence, noting that investigators should have access to the vessel itself rather than relying solely on witness testimony.
The MV Barima sank during a voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma on the night of July 18, after issuing a distress call shortly before midnight.
The disaster raised severe criticism over the condition of the ageing ferry, with passengers, former employees and Indigenous organisations alleging that concerns about the vessel’s seaworthiness had been raised long before the tragedy.
President Irfaan Ali has since established the COI headed by retired Belizean Justice Godfrey Smith and four international commissioners to determine the circumstances leading to the disaster and identify any failures in oversight, regulation and operations. The Commission is expected to examine issues including the vessel’s maintenance history, safety inspections, operational procedures, crew actions and the government’s regulatory oversight.
Captain Kevin Price, Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson and Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts have each been charged with dozens of counts of murder in connection with the disaster and remain before the courts. The charges have resulted in ongoing protests, with relatives and supporters insisting the three crew members are being made scapegoats for systemic failures.
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