Barima inquiry issues its first procedural rules
The rules cover a Commission of Inquiry that the President of Guyana appointed on 30 July 2026, and they take effect once published in the Gazette.
The Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima has issued its first set of procedural rules. They are called the Commission of Inquiry (M/V Barima) Rules No 1 of 2026.
The rules appeared in the Official Gazette published on 1 October 2026. They start to apply once they are published in the Gazette. Procedural rules explain how a body does its work.
The President of Guyana appointed the Commission on 30 July 2026. Its job is to examine how the MV Barima capsized and went down.
The President set up the Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03. It has a Chairman and four other Commissioners.
The Commission is looking into the marine casualty, a term for a serious accident involving a vessel, that hit the M/V "BARIMA" on the night of 18 July 2026. Its public notice came out on 2 September 2026.
The inquiry is meant to do more than check the ship's safety. Its mandate, or set of tasks, also covers public accountability, institutional performance and reform.
The St Kitts Nevis Observer (CMC) reported that the five-member Commission was announced on 26 July 2026. According to the same report, Belizean jurist Justice Godfrey P. Smith chairs it. The report added that he earlier served on Guyana's 2020 elections Commission of Inquiry.
Caribbean National Weekly reported that public hearings were set to start on 14 October 2026. The paper said more than 100 witnesses are expected.
Caribbean National Weekly also reported that the commission first had two months to finish its work, but now expects to need more time. The paper said the commission's secretary estimates about six months.