53 passengers rescued, taken to Charity for medical treatment as “massive” search and rescue operation continues, expanded

At least 53 passengers who were on board the MV Barima ferry, which capsized off the coast of Region Two last night after departing Port Georgetown on Saturday, have been rescued.

This is according to acting President, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, during a press briefing this morning.

A search and rescue operation was immediately launched after the distress call was received from the vessel, which had 116 passengers including children and 17 crew members.

Three vessels each have been deployed by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard as part of the rescue mission. The Guyana Police Force also has a vessel out there along with several privately-owned vessels.

“We have a number of assets out there…in the area where the incident occurred. the GDF had a helicopter overnight assisting with the search and rescue mission, and we had at least one private aircraft that was instrumental in spotting the area so we were able to do a more accurate search and rescue people who would’ve been on the ferry,” PM Phillips stated.

According to the Prime Minister, the search and rescue operation has since been expanded.

“Our effort is aimed rescuing everybody who were on board that ferry,” Phillips declared.

Those 53 persons who were rescued have been taken to Charity, where a medical centre has been established to specifically treat survivors. A similar centre was also set up in Region Three as well.

According to Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, it is too early to disclose certain information, including the names of those recused persons.

The minister went on to assure that, based on the manifest informatioon, MV Barima was carrying “normal” cargo, dismissing concerns of overweight. “There was nothing to suggest that it was overweight,” he declared.

The vessel, which is an older ferry, was heading to Port Kaituma. Asked why none of the newer ferries was deployed to this route, Edghill explained that due to the passage to get ijnto Port Kaituma, a smaller vessel such as MV Barima is required to go there.

Currently, larger vessels such as MV Kimbia and  MaLisha are deployed to the Mabaruma route, with a third newer vessel scheduled to operate there soon.