Guyana Starts Ferry Inquiry After 73 Deaths
Disaster: Guyana
Key Facts
—Who. The five-member Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima ferry sinking, chaired by Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize.
—What. It opened on Wednesday 7 October 2026 and expects to hear more than 100 witnesses over about six months.
—Where. Georgetown, Guyana. Evidence hearings are set for the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal.
—When. Formal hearings start on Wednesday 14 October 2026, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm local time.
—The disaster. The state ferry capsized on 18 July 2026. Of an estimated 179 people aboard, 73 died, 76 survived and about 30 are unaccounted for.
—Status. The inquiry cannot bind anyone or order compensation. Three crew members face separate murder charges, and no court has ruled.
—As of. 7 October 2026, 23:00 GMT.
Guyana’s inquiry into the sinking of the state ferry MV Barima opened in Georgetown on Wednesday 7 October 2026. Formal evidence hearings start on 14 October, but some grieving families say they will stay away until the wreck is raised.
What We Know
The MV Barima was an 87-year-old passenger and cargo ferry run by the state Transport and Harbours Department. It left the department’s wharf at Kingston, Georgetown, at about 3:15 pm on Saturday 18 July, bound for Port Kaituma in the far northwest, according to Kaieteur News.
The first distress signal came at about 11 pm that night, and the ferry capsized off the Essequibo Coast. Of an estimated 179 people aboard, 73 died, 76 survived and about 30 are unaccounted for, INews Guyana reported.
President Irfaan Ali named the five-member commission on 26 July, and none of its members is Guyanese. Justice Smith is a Belizean judge and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) representative for law and criminal justice, according to the Guyana Department of Public Information.
The other members are Polish naval architect Andrzej Jasionowski, Jamaican maritime surveyor Hamada Fouda and Trinidad and Tobago maritime lawyer Nyree Dawn Alfonso. The fifth is Hayden Pritchard, a retired rear admiral from Trinidad and Tobago.
A Week of Meetings Before Hearings Begin
The commissioners opened on Wednesday 7 October with meetings with families from the coastal regions, INews Guyana reported. On Thursday and Friday they visit Kingston wharf, the shipping regulator (the Maritime Administration Department, MARAD), the Transport and Harbours Department and two dry docks on the East Bank of Demerara.
They then travel to Mabaruma on Monday 12 October and Port Kaituma on Tuesday 13 October, the northwestern communities the ferry served.
Hearings start on Wednesday 14 October and run on weekdays. The commission is also considering sittings in northwest communities to ease travel for witnesses, Kaieteur News reported.
A Longer Timetable and Few Volunteers
The inquiry was first meant to finish within two months, and the secretary now expects about six. More than 100 people could testify, including first responders, officials, survivors and relatives of the dead.
So far only one person has contacted the secretariat. “Not many persons have come forward,” Secretary Javed Shadick told a briefing this week, according to HGPTV.
Opposition member of parliament Ganesh Mahipaul wants the commission to promise that survivors will not pay to testify. He says survivors from outside Georgetown need their transport, lodging and meals covered, Kaieteur News reported.
Families Want the Wreck Raised First
Relatives of the dead hold weekly protests outside the Office of the President. They told Kaieteur News they will not take part until the ferry is salvaged, arguing that a proper inquiry is impossible without inspecting the hull.
Dr Jasionowski told families on Wednesday that he had met the salvage team and that the wreck keeps a forensic value of “near 100 percent,” Demerara Waves reported. He said salvage could begin “possibly this month”.
Demerara Waves also reported that BK International, a Guyanese firm, is the preferred bidder among three shortlisted firms. Pritchard said the commission can still reach conclusions whether or not the ferry is salvaged.
What the Commission Can and Cannot Do
The commission must establish the causes of the sinking and whether negligence, misconduct or institutional failure played a part. Its findings could form the basis for later civil or criminal proceedings, according to Demerara Waves.
Justice Smith said its recommendations are not legally binding and that it has “no power to make any awards, to order any compensation.” He added that its report could be “the catalyst for civil and criminal proceedings to follow,” according to Demerara Waves.
Separately, ferry captain Kevin Price, chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts and goods superintendent Delon Granderson face 72 murder charges, one for each body recovered, and remain on remand. Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir is due to rule on Monday 19 October on a defence application alleging abuse of process, Kaieteur News reported.
For earlier coverage, see our reports on the first site visit, records showing the ferry’s faults were flagged months before it sank and the murder charges against the crew. They give the background to this week’s opening.
What Is Not Known
It is not yet clear whether Public Works Minister Juan Edghill or Public Utilities Minister Deodat Indar, who oversee the ferry operator and MARAD, will testify. Secretary Javed Shadick said he would not comment on that yet, according to Demerara Waves.
The exact salvage date is also unconfirmed, and so is how many of the 76 survivors will testify. We omit the salvage bid amounts because the outlets we checked reported them in conflicting currencies.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
ExxonMobil, a US company, operates the Stabroek oil block offshore. Travellers heading to the interior or northwest should treat river and coastal passenger vessels with care and check the US State Department advisory for Guyana before booking.
The findings could shape ferry safety rules and public confidence in state transport, which matters to US companies with staff in Guyana. See our report on Guyana’s oil expansion and the race with Suriname for the wider economic picture.
More: Guyana news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the MV Barima disaster?
The state-run MV Barima ferry capsized off Guyana’s Essequibo Coast on the night of 18 July 2026 while sailing from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Of an estimated 179 people aboard, 73 died, 76 survived and about 30 are unaccounted for.
Who is leading the inquiry?
Belizean judge Godfrey Phillip Smith chairs the five-member commission. Its other members are a Polish naval architect, a Jamaican maritime surveyor, a Trinidad and Tobago maritime lawyer and a retired Trinidad and Tobago rear admiral.
When do the hearings start?
Formal evidence-taking begins on Wednesday 14 October 2026 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, near Georgetown. The commission expects to need about six months in total.
Can the inquiry punish anyone?
No, its recommendations are not legally binding and it cannot order compensation. Its chairman said the report could still be a catalyst for civil and criminal proceedings.
Sources
Demerara Waves, commission discloses preferred salvage bidder · Demerara Waves, naval architect on wreck evidence · Demerara Waves, ministers as witnesses · INews Guyana · Kaieteur News, six-month inquiry · Kaieteur News, Mahipaul · Kaieteur News, court ruling · Kaieteur News, the ferry’s end · HGPTV · Guyana Department of Public Information · ExxonMobil Guyana
Connected Coverage
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief