More than two weeks after the MV Barima tragedy exposed that only one Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter was available during the critical early stages of the search and rescue operation, questions remain about the operational status of the military’s other two aircraft.
Despite efforts by Kiskadee Watch to obtain an update, the GDF has not responded.
Public Affairs Officer Heppilena Ferguson did not respond to questions sent by Kiskadee Watch on August 3 seeking information on whether the two helicopters that were reportedly out of service have since returned to operation or remain grounded.
The issue first came to light after the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima, which claimed the lives of 73 passengers.
During a press conference following the disaster, Prime Minister Mark Phillips was asked why only one GDF helicopter had been deployed. At the time, Phillips said the decision on the number of aircraft to deploy rested with the GDF. He also stated that he was not in a position to say whether the GDF’s two other helicopters were not operational.
Subsequently, however, the Prime Minister, a former GDF Chief of Staff, disclosed that two of the Defence Force’s three recently acquired helicopters had been unavailable to participate in the operation because they were undergoing maintenance.
Phillips shared that the GDF utilised its lone operational helicopter while also receiving aerial support from private sector aircraft as authorities intensified the search for survivors and later the recovery of victims.
When contacted by Kiskadee Watch on Monday, Presidential Advisor on National Security Gerry Gouveia said he was unable to provide an update on the helicopters’ operational status.
“I don’t have line responsibility,” Gouveia said, adding however that he believed he had recently seen one of the aircraft in operation.
“I saw one of them flying, but I am not up to date on their status,” he said.
It remains unclear whether the aircraft Gouveia observed was one of the helicopters previously reported to be undergoing maintenance or the helicopter that remained operational throughout the search effort.
The MV Barima capsized late on July 18 while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma after issuing a distress call near the mouth of the Pomeroon River. The incident resulted in a massive multi-agency search involving the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Coast Guard, private vessels, regional partners and aircraft. As the operation expanded, authorities eventually deployed multiple vessels and aircraft, including assistance from neighbouring countries.
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