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MV Barima

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barima at Georgetown in 2004
History
Guyana
NameBarima
OperatorTransport and Harbours Department
BuilderFerguson Brothers Ltd.
Yard number340
Launched9 May 1939; 87 years ago (9 May 1939)
FateCapsized and sank 18 July 2026
General characteristics
Class & typeFerry
Tonnage
Length40.26 m (132 ft 1 in)
Beam8.87 m (29 ft 1 in)
Depth2.87 m (9 ft 5 in)[2]
Decks2
Speed10.5 kn (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) max speed, 8.5 kn (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph) cruising speed
Capacity394
Crew18

MV Barima was a Guyanese passenger ferry that was built in 1939 and operated only in the country. On Saturday, 18 July 2026, the state-owned vessel capsized and sank off the coast of Guyana. Out of the at least 162 passengers and 17 crew on board, 77 were killed, 76 were rescued and more than 26 were reported missing.[3][4] Officials described the sinking as one of the country's worst maritime disasters.[5]

Description

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Barima was a Guyana-flagged passenger ferry operated by the Transport and Harbours Department.[6] It was built by Scottish shipbuilding company Ferguson Brothers Ltd (now Ferguson Marine) and launched on 9 May 1939; ownership passed to the government of Guyana at independence in 1966.[7][8] The Barima was 40.26 m (132 ft 1 in) long and 8.87 m (29 ft 1 in) wide, with two decks and a capacity of 394 passengers and 18 crew.[4][9][10][11][12] It was equipped with 250 life jackets, six inflatable life rafts and two rigid life rafts.[13] The maximum speed of the vessel was 10.5 kn (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph), while the cruising speed was 8.5 kn (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph).[14]

The vessel had served the North West District route for more than four decades, transporting both passengers and cargo on weekly trips between the capital Georgetown and the largely Indigenous communities of Mabaruma, Morawhanna and Port Kaituma without major incident.[15][16] In 2019, her sister ship, MV Lady Northcote, ceased operations, making Barima the only vessel serving that route.[16]

Sinking

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On Saturday, 18 July 2026, at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time, the MV Barima departed from Georgetown en route to a gold-mining outpost in Port Kaituma, carrying 179 passengers and crew.[5][17][18] Officials initially reported that 133 people were on the ferry, but increased the number after reviewing the boarding process. The vessel was also carrying several heavy items of cargo loaded by the government.[19] At around 11:00 p.m., the vessel capsized and sank after a large wave — apparently a rogue wave — struck her in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Guyana near the Pomeroon River, approximately 7 miles (6.1 nmi; 11 km) from shore.[16][20]

Search and rescue operations were launched, but were hampered by darkness and lack of vessels with scanners that could search for survivors, leaving rescuers reliant on sight and sound. Companies in the oil and gas sector subsequently deployed vessels with scanners, and the government activated divers to enter the ferry to search for bodies. Authorities also expanded the search area to 1,040 square kilometers (401 square miles) from 400 square kilometres (154 square miles).[21]

By Tuesday, 28 July, at least 77 bodies had been recovered, with 76 other passengers rescued and 26 reported missing.[3][4] At least 15 children and 13 crew members were among the deceased, while 15 children and 11 women were rescued.[22][23] The captain and three other crew members survived.[24] The French Army sent personnel from French Guiana to aid the search-and-rescue operation.[25]

The Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, confirmed that the state-owned vessel was uninsured, according to a practice long in operation, whereby the government assumed responsibility for losses and any compensation resulting from an incident.[17][26][27]

Wreck

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The wreck of Barima lies 7 miles (6.1 nmi; 11 km) northeast of the mouth of the Pomeroon River at 07°28.213′N 058°23.443′W / 7.470217°N 58.390717°W / 7.470217; -58.390717.[28] It lies on its side in soft mud at a depth of 13 to 15 metres (43 to 49 feet).[28]

Investigation

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The ​vessel's captain and at least one other ​crew ⁠member were taken into custody after testing positive for marijuana. Prime Minister Mark Phillips ⁠launched an ​investigation into potential institutional failures, ​promising that anyone found guilty of negligence or misconduct will face ​legal action.[29] On 28 July, captain Kevin Price and two crew members, Rondell Dwayne Roberts and Delon Granderson, were charged with 77 counts of murder for each victim killed in the sinking.[4][30][31]

Aftermath

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Guyanese President Irfaan Ali declared three days of national mourning following the sinking, with flags being flown at half-mast.[32] Ferry safety procedures were tightened after the disaster.[33] Tribute to the Barima victims was paid at the 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow, where Guyanese athletes and officials wore black armbands and black attire as they entered the stadium.[34][35]

On 26 July, President Ali announced a five-member international Commission of Inquiry into the disaster.[36][37]

At a press briefing on 28 July, it was disclosed that several international proposals had been received by the government of Guyana to salvage the sunken vessel from the seabed off Essequibo.[38] Linked to the possibility of operations to salvage the Barima and recover victims' bodies being unsuccessful, a government proposal mooted that the area be considered a memorial site, with Kaieteur News reporting the views of relatives that "this should be taken to Parliament or properly discussed with all the families."[39][40] Referring to a questionnaire being circulated to victims' families asking whether they wanted the MV Barima to be salvaged or to remain on the sea floor, Prime Minister Phillips said on 28 July that the government was willing to yield to the wishes of the survivors.[41]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "BARIMA". VesselFinder. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "MV BARIMA FOR NORTH WEST ON TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025". Prime News Guyana. 9 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 "MV Barima death toll rises to 73 as divers recover another body inside the wreck". Guyana Chronicle. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Chabrol, Denis (28 July 2026). "Hughes, Wade say 'weak' murder charge slapped on MV Barima captain, others; Opposition Leader offers to salvage vessel". Demerara Waves. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  5. 1 2 Marks, Neil; Natricia Duncan (20 July 2026). "Huge search operation after passenger ferry sinks off coast of Guyana". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Juan, Clestine (20 July 2026). "Management team responsible for loading, dispatch of MV Barima suspended as probe intensifies". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Ferguson shipyard of Castle Road, Port Glasgow launched the following vessels in early May". Ferguson Shipyard. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Vessel list". Clyde Ships. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "BREAKING: MV Barima sinks off the coast of Region 2 with 133 persons on board; 53 rescued so far". NEWS Source Guyana. 19 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "27 bodies recovered, dozens feared dead after passenger ferry sinks off coast of Guyana". CBC News. 20 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "MV Barima incident : Search area expanded as rescue effort intensifies". Guyana Chronicle. 19 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "BARIMA". MarineTraffic. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Burke, Kieran; Midhat Fatimah (19 July 2026). "Guyana: Dozens feared dead after ferry capsizes". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Marine Applications of Paxman Diesel Engines". Paxman History Pages. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  15. ↑ Wilkinson, Bert (19 July 2026). "A ferry carrying 133 people capsizes off Guyana's coast, leaving dozens missing". The Associated Press. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 "MV Barima comes to tragic end after 87 years". Kaieteur News. 20 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Guyanese authorities confirm death of 72 people in sinking of coastal ferry". The Guardian. Georgetown. Associated Press. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  18. ↑ Romero, Simon (20 July 2026). "At Least 27 Dead in Guyana After Ferry Capsizes". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  19. ↑ Chabrol, Denis (22 July 2026). "Heavy govt cargo was loaded onto MV Barima, 'breakdown' in routine inspection". Demerara Waves. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "Ferry capsizes off Guyana, 66 people missing". Radio New Zealand. AFP. 20 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "Bodies recovered after passenger ferry carrying over 100 people sinks off Guyana". CNN. 20 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "Six days after MV Barima tragedy, 73 bodies recovered". News Room Guyana. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "Dozens feared dead in Guyana after ferry carrying 133 people capsizes". Al Jazeera. 19 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "Police wouldn't explain continued detention of Captain and crew member of sunken MV Barima ferry". NEWS Source Guyana. 23 July 2026. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  25. ↑ Buschschlüter, Vanessa; Bennett, Tom (19 July 2026). "Death toll from Guyana ferry disaster continues to rise". BBC News. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "State assumed risk for uninsured MV Barima — Edghill". HGP TV. 22 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "Rescue Numbers Revised | Ferry Uninsured | More Questions". Credible Sources. 22 July 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOI) Salvage of MV Barima". Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, Maritime Administration Department. 1 August 2026. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  29. ↑ "Twenty-seven bodies recovered after ferry capsizes off Guyana". Georgetown: Reuters. 20 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Captain, crew members in deadly Guyana ferry accident charged with murder". Reuters. 28 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  31. ↑ "Captain and two others on murder charges arising from MV Barima tragedy". Jamaica Observer. 29 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "Three days of national mourning declared for MV Barima victims". Guyana Chronicle. 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  33. ↑ "Guyana tightens ferry safety procedures following MV Barima tragedy". The Gleaner. 25 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Commonwealth Games 2026: Team Guyana to honour MV Barima victims at opening ceremony". News Room Guyana. 23 July 2026. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  35. ↑ "Commonwealth Sport stands in solidarity with Guyana". Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026. 23 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  36. ↑ Chabrol, Denis (26 July 2026). "President names non-Guyanese five-member commission to probe MV Barima tragedy". Demerara Waves. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  37. ↑ "Guyana appoints international commission to probe deadly MV Barima ferry disaster". Times Caribbean Online. 26 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  38. ↑ "Int'l salvage offers received as families weigh future of MV Barima site". OilNOW. 29 July 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  39. ↑ Ba, Khadidja (28 July 2026). "Govt. floats leaving MV Barima on seabed as memorial site". Kaieteur News. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  40. ↑ "Government to Abandon MV Barima Wreck as Families Demand Answers and Experts Say Salvage Is Possible". Village Voice News. 28 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  41. ↑ Chabrol, Denis (29 July 2026). "Govt willing to leave MV Barima on sea floor even if there is useful evidence for probe". Demerara Waves. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
[edit]

07°28.213′N 058°23.443′W / 7.470217°N 58.390717°W / 7.470217; -58.390717

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