MARAD captain says three vessels responded to MV Barima disaster
A five-member Commission is examining the sinking and will recommend changes to make sea travel safer.
Captain Anthony Williams of MARAD told the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry that three MARAD vessels took part in the early response to the disaster. The account was published on 19 October 2026.
The MV Barima ferry sank on 18 July. It was about 10 miles off the Essequibo Coast. There were 179 passengers and crew on board. Seventy-six people were confirmed dead.
The Official Gazette of Guyana says the ferry turned over and sank on the night of Saturday, 18 July 2026. It was on a planned trip from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. The Transport and Harbours Department, Ministry of Public Works, owned and ran the vessel.
The Commission has five members. It is looking into what happened when the MV Barima turned over and sank. Its job is to find the facts, decide who is responsible and suggest changes to make travel by sea safer.
Demerara Waves reported that Justice Godfrey Smith of Belize chairs the Commission. The outlet said the Commission was appointed on 30 July 2026. It also reported that a secretariat, or support office, was set up to help the Commission.
The story was first reported by News Source Guyana.