The Santa Rosa Village Council and the Village General Meeting (VGM) have called for a transparent and independent investigation into the MV Barima disaster, including the salvaging of the vessel, and say anyone found culpable must face the full force of the law.
In a message of solidarity posted on Facebook, the council and VGM extended sympathy to the survivors, relatives and communities affected by the July 18 sinking and appealed for political differences to be set aside in responding to the tragedy.
“We call on the Government of Guyana, Opposition leaders, civil society organisations, NGOs, Indigenous organisations, faith-based groups, and all other stakeholders to put aside political differences and stand together in support of the survivors and affected families,” the statement said.
The state-owned MV Barima was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it capsized near Iron Punt late on July 18 after transmitting a distress signal.
According to figures previously released by the government, approximately 179 persons were believed to have been aboard. Seventy-six people survived and 73 bodies were recovered, while roughly 30 persons remain unaccounted for. The search operation has since ended.
The council called on the government and relevant agencies to provide survivors with continuing medical care, counselling, transportation, food, shelter and other essential assistance.
It said support must also be maintained for the families and communities affected by the disaster.
“No survivor or family should feel abandoned during this challenging time,” the statement said.
Salvage vessel
The council called for the upcoming Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to conduct a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the disaster.
“This includes salvaging the MV Barima,” it said.
The council added that the evidence and findings should be communicated clearly and promptly to the public and that measures must be implemented to prevent a recurrence.
The government initially considered leaving the wreck on the seabed because of the difficulties encountered by divers and had consulted relatives about designating the site as a memorial. It later invited proposals from marine contractors to salvage the ferry even after it had distributed a document to relatives of the missing asking them to indicate if they wanted the vessel salvaged. Prime Minister Marks Phillips had initially said that it was the relatives of the missing who would make the decision.
Kiskadee Watch had reported that the salvage requirements include protecting and documenting forensic evidence for the CoI and keeping the recovered vessel upright on a barge to facilitate examination.
The wreck could provide evidence about the ferry’s condition, engines and cargo and the circumstances in which it capsized.
A five-member CoI chaired by Belizean jurist Godfrey P Smith has been established to determine the circumstances surrounding the sinking and recommend reforms to Guyana’s maritime safety system.
The other commissioners are Trinidad and Tobago attorney Nyree Dawn Alfonso, retired Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard, Jamaican maritime expert Captain Hamada Fouda and Polish naval architect Dr Andrzej Jasionowski.
The inquiry’s mandate includes examining the loading and seaworthiness of the vessel, passenger management, crew conduct and competence, maintenance, compliance with maritime laws, and the search-and-rescue response.
Kiskadee Watch also reported that although the commissioners had been sworn in, no date had been publicly announced for the start of substantive hearings or where they would be held.
Accountability
The Santa Rosa council said all individuals, institutions or other entities found culpable through due process and a credible investigation must be held accountable “without fear or favour”.
“Justice must be pursued fairly, transparently, and without delay, ensuring that the rights of the victims and their families are upheld and that the rule of law is respected at every stage,” it said.
It appealed to national leaders and other stakeholders to act collectively instead of allowing the response to the tragedy to become divided along political lines.
“The lives and well-being of our people must come before politics,” the council said. “Let us demonstrate compassion, cooperation, and leadership by working together to support the MV Barima survivors and affected families.”
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