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Captain, THD loading superintendent detained as police intensify boat incident investigation
(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has detained the captain and a senior Transport and Harbours Department (THD) official as part of an ongoing criminal probe into the recent maritime tragedy involving the MV Barima on 18th July, officials revealed during a briefing at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Kingston last night.
Addressing reporters, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and maritime officials outlined the current status of police detentions, operational responsibilities, and efforts to reconcile discrepancies between vessel manifests and actual cargo loaded.
Speaking on the legal proceedings, it was confirmed that the vessel’s captain remains in police custody without formal charges filed yet, following a court-approved extension of his detention period.
L-R: Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, MARAD’s Director General, Steven Thomas, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Khalid Mandall
A third individual connected to the operations, identified as Mr. Grandison, the THD superintendent who directly oversaw the loading of the boat, has also been detained. According to Minister Edghill, Grandison turned himself in accompanied by his attorney after being invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to explain his actions. CID officers placed him in detention prior to conducting the formal questioning.
“It’s too early to determine the offense,” Minister Edghill stated, emphasising that investigators are following established statutory procedures. “They’ll take statements, they have to hand the statements to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)… and the DPP will do their technical work and make the recommendations.”
Under established investigative protocols, police may return to court to seek additional 72-hour detention extensions if further time is required to complete file preparation.
Clarifying the chain of command during loading operations, officials explained that while the THD loading superintendent holds operational charge over waterfront activities—including ticket sales, staff oversight, and cargo movement onto the vessel—ultimate operational authority on board rests elsewhere.
During the press conference, it was stated that despite the superintendent’s managerial oversight, the vessel’s captain and mate maintain ultimate power to accept or reject any passenger or cargo item from being loaded onto the boat.
The briefing also addressed media questioning regarding cargo weighing procedures and an informal WhatsApp group allegedly used by commercial shippers and THD staff to communicate upcoming shipments.
When questioned whether the Ministry of Public Works and other state agencies utilised this communication channel or bypassed weight protocols, Minister Edghill clarified that state entities operate under standard customer rules. “The Ministry of Public Works is a customer of the Transport and Harbours Department. They have to follow the same rules like any other customer,” Edghill stated.
Addressing questions on whether investigators would inspect informal WhatsApp chats to assess total weight, officials emphasised that the official cargo manifest remains the central legal document. The manifest details the shipper, consignee, precise weight, and specific cargo classifications, ranging from perishables and construction materials to fuel and equalised freight.
Officials assured the press that just as authorities are conducting reconciliation between rescued individuals and the passenger list, a thorough reconciliation of all physical cargo against the master manifest will be conducted as the investigation progresses.
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