3rd person detained as police probe continues in MV Barima tragedy

A superintendent attached to the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) has been arrested as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the MV Barima on Saturday night.

During a press conference this afternoon, it was revealed that the individual in police custody was in charge of the operations at the Georgetown port, inclusive of overseeing the loading of the ferry and the sale of tickets.

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill noted that the individual was invited for questioning at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) where he showed up in the company of his lawyer and was subsequently detained.

Two persons have already been arrested: the ferry’s captain and a crew member, and they remain in police custody. The duo was arrested after blood tests showed traces of marijuana in their system.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, earlier this week, released a statement assuring that the Guyana Police Force is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.

The Ministry, therefore, encouraged anyone with firsthand information, photographs, videos, or any other evidence that may assist investigators to come forward and provide that material directly to the Police Force.

“The cooperation of the public is vital to ensuring that the investigation is thorough and that all relevant facts are established,” the ministry’s statement noted.

The MV Barima departed the Georgetown stelling at about 15:00h on Saturday on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), carrying 179 persons including, 18 crew members and cargo. According to officials, the vessel encountered rough sea conditions off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River late that night.

Survivors have recalled that the ferry began listing to one side before capsizing, throwing passengers into the water. A distress signal transmitted at approximately 23:01h was received by aviation authorities, triggering a large-scale response involving the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard and Air Corps, MARAD, civilian vessels and local fishermen.

Addressing concerns raised in the aftermath of the disaster, blood samples were taken from the captain and crew members for testing. Authorities released the results showing positive tests for cannabis and subsequently arrested the captain and two crew members. Subsequently, Government in its initial probe on the issue uncovered that more people were aboard the vessel than had been recorded on the original passenger manifest. That information along with the manifest were immediately made public.