Barges and the tide could lift the MV Barima

Jul 28, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

I am forced to write this letter because lack of answers and the inability of the team to bring the MV Barima to shore. At the end of this letter I have suggested how this can be done in my humble opinion.

I have been following the various views by victims’ family, survivors and “experts” and I must say that it does indicate negligence, incompetence, a lack of care , corruption among other factors. It is a shame that children in this day and age have to sleep on the ground while travelling using government transport in a country that is oil rich.

I have no doubt that the money is there so, what is causing this. We are told that the boat that was supposed to replace the MV Barima is being used for entertainment with the blessings of Edgehill. I listened to Edgehill who said a few years ago that the Wharf to accommodate the new vessel MV Ma Lisha would be completed in December 2023. This is now July 2026 and probably over 100 dead, hundreds of traumatized survivors and families of victims.

Why is this Minister still on the job?

I hope the hearing would be public and the government would facilitate witnesses who may be in various parts of the country. They may be transported to the city or they may be facilitated to give their statements etc. via zoom, watsap etc.

In other countries any minister overseeing such an operation would have resigned. At least he should have remained silent until he made at least a preliminary investigation and listened to the survivors.

Having said that a week later the MV Barima is still resting on the floor of the Ocean.

I read on social media that they are diving all the time and that they are trying to drag the Vessel. That would not work. I made a suggestion as to what could be tried. Many agreed it could work while others said there are more advanced methods. I am still waiting for the advanced method in the mean time the vessel remain submerged.

My suggestion is for the team to insert air bags in the hold and inflate them to dispel some amount of water in the hold. Secondly place one or two barges over the vessel. I believe a 3000 tons barge would be enough but we can put more than one. Strap the Barima to the barges at low tide and await the high tide. It is my understanding this would lift the Barima off the ground and it can then be towed.

Rajendra Bisessar

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Letters, MV Barima, Rajendra Bisessar

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