Barima inquiry hears how MARAD boat helped bring survivors ashore

Survivors of the MV Barima tragedy were transferred from Coast Guard vessels and fishing boats to a MARAD pilot boat and taken to the Pomeroon Coast Guard base, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) heard on Wednesday.

MARAD pilot trainee and Officer of the Watch Shemar Morrison told the sixth day of public hearings that the rescue team brought aboard included the vessel’s captain and first mate, who were given blankets after exposure to the sea.

Morrison said the pilot boat, Haiama, encountered floating life jackets, iceboxes and other debris as it approached the search area before dawn on July 19. His crew assisted people recovered by other vessels but did not pull anyone directly from the water.

Morrison said the Haiama departed Kingston, Georgetown, at approximately 1:40 am on July 19, 2026, and arrived in the search area at about 4:55 am, noting that his timings are based on his “recollection” of the events, rather than a written record.

He explained that he received a call from Captain John Flores, Coordinator of Emergency Operations at MARAD, to assist in the search and rescue operations. He arrived at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Kingston, where he received the initial coordinates on a paper chart.

He then gathered a rescue team at the Goods Wharf in Kingston and set out for the area of operation that was already underway. Morrison told the Commission that the pilot boat began encountering floating debris at approximately 4:30 am, including life jackets, iceboxes and other items.

The vessel reached the initial search area at approximately 4:55 am, where Coast Guard vessels, fishing boats and other craft were participating in rescue operations.

He explained that persons already recovered by those vessels were transferred aboard the Haiama for transportation to the Pomeroon Coast Guard base.

Morrison said the Harbour Master’s vessel initially transferred three persons, while additional people were brought aboard from other vessels, including GDF Coast Guard craft and fishing boats.

He confirmed that his crew did not personally recover anyone directly from the water.

Among those who were assisted were the MV Barima’s captain and first mate, who were provided with blankets following their exposure to the sea.

Morrison also described receiving an unresponsive individual, believed to have been transferred from a fishing vessel. He said he checked the person’s condition but was unable to determine the person’s medical condition.

According to Morrison, the pilot boat departed the search area at approximately 5:30 a.m. after being instructed to transport those aboard to the Pomeroon Coast Guard base.

He testified that the vessel arrived at approximately 7:30 am, where arrangements were made to provide medical assistance to the survivors.

Morrison said he subsequently briefed the Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony on the assistance provided, including the distribution of blankets and first aid.

The pilot trainee also told the Commission that communication difficulties affected messages sent from the search area, with some updates not being delivered until the vessel reached Pomeroon.

Before the operation, Morrison said he briefed crew members on safety precautions, particularly the dangers of falling overboard while attempting to recover persons from the water.

“One of the things that I was briefed on is to ensure that the rescuers don’t become the rescued, because working at sea, especially at night, could be very dangerous and tricky,” Morrison told the Inquiry.

MARAD played an integral role in the search and rescue response, with Morrison telling the COI that three MARAD vessels participated in combing the waters alongside other responders.

Morrison also recalled Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill urging rescuers to exercise caution and maintain professionalism throughout the operation.

The Commission continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the maritime tragedy and the search-and-rescue response that followed. [DPI]