The five-member Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the MV Barima tragedy yesterday visited two dry docks on the East Bank Demerara as part of its preliminary investigations into the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s capsizing last July 18.
The visits – at Guyana Ports Inc. at Supply and Gopie Investment Inc. at New Hope – were intended to familiarise the commissioners with facilities associated with the maintenance and repair of the MV Barima at various times before the tragedy, ahead of the commencement of oral hearings on October 14.
According to a statement issued by the Commission’s Secretary, the visits form part of the inquiry’s ongoing fact-finding exercise to gather information and develop a clearer understanding of the facilities and operations relevant to its investigation.
Friday’s inspections followed visits on Thursday to the Transport and Harbours Department’s Goods Wharf in Kingston, Georgetown, as well as the offices of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Transport and Harbours Department.
The inquiry is tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima tragedy, which resulted in multiple fatalities and survivors, and is expected to hear evidence relevant to the events leading up to the incident.
The commission includes Belizean Justice of Appeal Godfrey Phillip Smith, Polish forensic naval architect and marine engineer Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski, Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago, Captain Hamada Fouda of Jamaica and Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago. The five were sworn in on July 30, 2026.
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