-one person subsequently died
Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday provided a timeline in Parliament for the events after the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima and it revealed that the first rescue of victims took three and a half hours.
It is unclear if these rescues were done by fishermen or by the coast guard.
Phillips also disclosed for the first time that one rescued person subsequently died. And in what will underline the force of currents in the area where the capsizing occurred, Phillips said that the wreckage of the MV Barima was found approximately 31 nautical miles northwest of the point of an initial distress communicated by the Air Traffic Control tower.
Phillips’ statement in Parliament yesterday was barely audible after opposition parties mounted a sustained noise campaign to demand the resignation of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar.
The Prime Minister’s statement follows:
Statement to the National Assembly by the Honourable Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on the chronological account of the Government’s response following the MV Barima tragedy
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members of the National Assembly,
I rise to place before the National Assembly an account concerning the tragedy involving the MV Barima, the search, rescue and recovery operations that followed, and the support provided to the affected families.
1. At 15:20 hours MV Barima departed the Transport and Harbors Department Goods Wharf with passengers and Cargo for Port Kaituma.
2. At 22:43 the Air Traffic control Centre Timehri received a distress signal.
3. At 23:01 the Georgetown Lighthouse received information from the ATC, Timehri.
4. At 23:03 The Georgetown Lighthouse informed the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre who then informed GDF, Coast Guard, GPF and other Stakeholders.
5. At 23:11 Coast Guard deployed GDFs 1030 from Pomeroon floating base.
6. At 23:25 MRCC assembled National SAR committee
7. At 23:40 Coast Guard deployed 2 vessels from Ruimveldt Base
8. At 02:27 – 5 persons rescued
9. At 4:14 – 19 persons rescued
10. At 05:13 – 53 persons rescued
A total of 77 persons were rescued and one of the persons rescued subsequently died.
Search and rescue/recovery operations continued over the period Sunday 20th July 2026 to present.
On 20th July 2026, The MV Barima was found resting on the seabed approximately 31 nautical miles northwest of the point of an initial distress communicated by the Air Traffic Control tower. This was based on the report made by Mr. Haresh Singh and the assistance provided by local fisherfolk, ExxonMobil Guyana, VESHI and Sealand Survey’s Gilligan Island in confirming the vessel’s exact position.
The Ministry of Health and the Guyana Police Force subsequently established joint protocols for the processing, transportation and storage of the deceased. Identification procedures were to take place at the Suddie Hospital. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remained operational, and the search and recovery effort continued.
The public was advised that full recovery mode was being pursued. The Government of France had provided 15 divers, who joined the local team at the site. It was also announced that recovered bodies would be taken to Charity for processing by the health and police authorities, and that relatives would be invited to identify their loved ones at the Suddie Hospital.
At 13:00 hrs on 21 July, 16 vessels were deployed within the wreckage area. The designated search area had been expanded by an additional 400 square miles, extending to Waini Point. French and local divers continued underwater operations, while relatives undertook the identification of recovered bodies at the Suddie Hospital.
State and private sector vessels continued operating throughout the expanded search area, supported by aerial surveillance. Aircraft also transported relatives to the Suddie Hospital to assist with identification. The Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, and his team remained at the hospital and began facilitating the release of identified bodies to their relatives.
Regional authorities remained engaged with families to facilitate arrangements for interment. All stakeholders were reminded that recovered bodies were to be transferred immediately to the custody of the Guyana Police Force at the designated facility at the Charity River Dam, in accordance with the established recovery and identification protocols.
His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced three days of national mourning.
At 13:00 hrs on 22 July, the Government reported that support assets from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Brazilian Navy had arrived in Guyana’s waters and were proceeding to the operational area. At that time, 19 vessels and two aircraft were involved.
Technical teams began assessing the capsized vessel to determine the safest and most effective method of righting it and improving access for the diving teams. Smaller vessels deployed by the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department were conducting searches further inland.
During the period of national mourning, all national flags were directed to be flown at half-mast. Wednesday, 22 July, was declared a National Day of Prayer, with a national service of prayer and reflection held at the Kingston Seawall. Nights of Reflection and Prayer were also announced for Port Kaituma on 23 July and Mabaruma on 24 July.
The Government wish to thank all stakeholders involved in the search and recovery operations.
Mr Speaker, in the final operational update issued on 24 July, the Government advised that the coordinated search and recovery operation remained active throughout the day. The designated search area had been expanded by an additional 32 square miles, westwards to Waini Point and eastwards to Adventure, while aerial surveillance flights continued.
Five dives, each lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, were completed on 24 July. During one of those dives, one body was recovered from within the MV Barima. This brought the cumulative number of bodies recovered to 73, of whom 69 had been positively identified.
Mr Speaker, this tragedy has caused immeasurable grief across our country. The Government extends its deepest condolences to every family that has lost a loved one and remains committed to supporting those affected.
The Government also records its gratitude to the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration Department, the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Health, regional authorities, local fisherfolk, private vessel operators, aviation personnel, divers, medical teams and all other stakeholders who contributed to the response. We are equally grateful for the assistance provided by France, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remained fully operational throughout the period from Saturday 2026/07/19 to now, and the search, rescue and recovery effort continued with the commitment that every reasonable effort would be exhausted.
May the families who have suffered loss find strength and comfort, and may the souls of those who perished rest in peace.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Discussion