The MV Barima, an 87-year-old ferry operated by the Guyanese government, sank approximately 10 nautical miles off the coast while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. The vessel, which served as a primary transport link for Indigenous communities in the North West District, was carrying passengers who often lacked the financial means for air or speedboat travel.
While 76 passengers and crew members were rescued, 73 bodies were recovered before the government halted search efforts conducted by French Navy divers. Estimates suggest that between 30 and 50 people remain missing. Reports indicate that the vessel lacked functional transponders and emergency beacons, and survivors alleged that the ship was overloaded with unsecured cargo. Furthermore, investigations revealed that the ferry's inflatable life rafts reportedly had expired safety certifications dating back to 2022, and no passengers were equipped with life jackets.
The government’s response has faced intense public scrutiny. Initially, officials considered leaving the wreckage on the seafloor before reversing the decision under public pressure. Prime Minister Mark Phillips and the minister of public works led media briefings, during which journalists and survivors were largely excluded. Criminal charges of murder were filed against the ferry’s captain, first mate, and loading supervisor, a move critics argue may hinder independent investigations, including a presidential commission of inquiry that has already faced allegations of conflicts of interest.
The disaster has drawn attention to broader systemic issues in Guyana, including the disparity between the country’s booming oil industry—where a consortium including ExxonMobil and Chevron extracts one million barrels of oil daily—and the neglected infrastructure serving hinterland regions. Despite Guyana being a signatory to the International Maritime Organization’s safety conventions, experts note that critical regulatory updates recommended following a 2018 audit have yet to be enacted by the National Assembly.
Source: The Conversation
មិនទាន់មានមតិយោបល់នៅឡើយទេ។ សូមធ្វើជាអ្នកដំបូងដែលចែករំលែកគំនិតរបស់អ្នក។