In keeping with an earlier commitment to establish a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the July 18 capsizing of MV Barima, which has resulted in the death of 73 persons while 30 others are still unaccounted for, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday announced that a high-level team, comprising top international experts, will be named on Sunday.
Some 76 persons survived the tragic boat accident.
“I shall, tomorrow – 26th of July, 2026 – announce a five-member team to constitute that Commission. The Commission will comprise distinguished experts and professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in relevant fields, including law, marine engineering, maritime safety, and disaster investigation. The members have been carefully selected for their independence, technical expertise, and proven ability,” the Head of State revealed during a video statement today.
According to Ali, the CoI panel will determine its own procedures and method of work. The Commission will be tasked with conducting a thorough, impartial examination of the MV Barima tragedy, including the circumstances leading to the capsizing and sinking of the vessel, the response efforts, and all related matters. Its work will seek to identify any shortcomings or failures, recommend appropriate accountability where warranted, and propose reforms that will strengthen the safety and reliability of Guyana’s maritime transportation system.
Moreover, the Commission will further examine the causes and contributing factors to the disaster, including the loading of the vessel, passenger boarding procedures, conditions on board, the vessel’s seaworthiness, maintenance history, compliance with maritime laws and safety standards, the conduct and competence of the mast and crew, passenger management, and lifesaving arrangements, as well as the role of weather, sea conditions, and other operational factors.
The Commission will also undertake a review of the search, rescue, and recovery operations, assessing the adequacy, coordination, and effectiveness of the response by all agencies and stakeholders involved. Importantly, the CoI panel will be empowered to determine whether any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty, or institutional failures contributed to or caused this tragedy, and to recommend any legislative, regulatory, institutional, or operational reforms necessary to prevent a recurrence.
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