The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) set up to investigate the sinking of the MV Barima remains in its preparatory stage, with its secretariat yet to issue the formal notice that will signal the start of proceedings and the process of identifying and hearing witnesses.
Javed Shadick, who was appointed secretary to the Commission, told Kiskadee Watch yesterday that the commissioners and secretariat are currently completing administrative arrangements before the inquiry moves into its substantive phase.
“We are still doing the foundational work right now,” he said, noting that the secretariat will
soon issue the notice. He noted that the commissioners have been sworn in, as he was as secretary, but the next step depends on the commissioners determining that they are ready to begin.
Shadick said witnesses have not yet been approached as the Commission has not reached that stage of its work. He explained that the administrative arrangements must first be completed because the formal notice is required before work relating to witnesses begins.
The Commission was established by President Irfaan Ali following the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima that was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One, when it capsized.
The five-member Commission is chaired by Belizean Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith and includes Captain Hamada Fouda, Trinidad and Tobago attorney Nyree Dawn Alfonso, retired Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard, and Polish forensic naval architect and marine engineer Dr Andrzej Jasionowski.
The Commission has been tasked with determining the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including the causes and factors relating to the loading of the vessel, boarding of passengers, conditions aboard the MV Barima, its seaworthiness and maintenance history, and the capsizing and sinking.
It is also expected to examine the conduct and competence of the master and crew, compliance with maritime laws and safety standards, passenger management and life-saving arrangements, as well as weather and sea conditions at the time of the incident.
The inquiry will also assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the search, rescue and recovery operation and determine whether negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty or institutional failures contributed to the disaster.
Its findings are expected to inform recommendations for legislative, regulatory, institutional and operational reforms aimed at strengthening maritime safety and preventing a recurrence.
Three men – the vessel’s captain, Kevin Price; Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts; and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson – were subsequently charged with murder in connection with the tragedy.
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