Mohamed’s offer to raise MV Barima, pushes Govt. to say victims’ relatives will decide

Jul 29, 2026 News

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By Khadidja Ba

(Kaieteur News) – Following a proposal by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed to independently fund and undertake the salvage of the sunken ferry MV Barima, government has announced that the final decision on whether to raise the vessel or declare wreckage area a memorial site will be left entirely to the families of the victims.

Mohamed has critisised the administration, deeming any move to leave the vessel at the Atlantic sea floor as “premature and wicked” and an “act of cruelty” to grieving families. “Families have reached out to me saying they want the bodies of their loved ones, even if all that remain are bones. It will bring closure,” Mohamed stated. “The government did not exhaust every possible option. They have not sought out international help with the expertise and equipment to recover that vessel. Yet, they are already talking about turning it into a memorial.”

Mohamed questioned the government’s transparency, alleging that authorities are attempting to cover up systemic negligence and safety breaches. He alleged that the MV Barima had been transporting construction materials and other cargo for big businessmen and those with major projects in Region 1, cargo that should otherwise have been transported by a barge. Furthermore, he cited details coming from the captain who was arrested and charged with murder, asserting that the vessel had no functioning emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), no search and rescue transponder (SART), an inoperable anchor, no operational radar, and life rafts that had been expired since 2022. He also claimed that one of the engines was down, emphasising that an overloaded vessel needs both engines, especially to navigate rough waters.

Addressing the vessel’s capacity, Mohamed directly challenged Public Works Minister Juan Edghill’s statements. He argued that Minister Edghill referred to gross tonnage, which is a measure of internal volume used for regulatory purposes rather than deadweight, which represents the maximum combined weight of passengers, cargo, fuel, water, and other loads a vessel can safely carry. Mohamed noted that the MV Barima’s deadweight was 198 tons, yet Minister Edghill stated there were 268 tons on board. “Therefore, based on Edghill’s explanation, the vessel was carrying about 70 tons more than its dead weight capacity. It is Edghill who should have been arrested and remanded to prison,” Mohamed asserted.

Expressing his readiness to intervene directly, Mohamed declared his full commitment to floating the vessel. “Let me make my position clear. I, Azruddin Mohammed, leader of the opposition, am prepared to undertake this salvage operation. I have already engaged international partners who have assured me they have the equipment, expertise, and capability to bring the MV Burima to the surface,” he stated. “Give me the permission to float this vessel. I will recover the vessel so that the COI can be properly conducted. I will do everything possible to recover the remains of those still trapped, provide families with the closure they deserve, and ensure that every piece of evidence is preserved. If the government truly has nothing to hide, then there should be no objection to bringing up the MV Barima.”

Government Position: Families Will Have the Final Say

A few hours after Mohamed’s salvage proposal, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips convened a press conference alongside key security and search-and-rescue officials, including Captain Flores from the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Center, Colonel Roberts, Colonel General Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and Deputy Commissioner Errol Watts of the Guyana Police Force.

Prime Minister Phillips explained that diving operations for search and recovery were suspended due to the extreme difficulties faced by the divers, leaving two clear paths forward: either the vessel remains in its current position, or the government entertains one of the incoming salvage offers. “Well, there are several offers… been submitted to government several proposals for salvaging the vessel. As I speak with you, in addition to those offers to salvage the vessels, it is the wishes of the family that are important at this stage,” Prime Minister Phillips stated. “Because if there is any indication from the family that they prefer to have the area be deemed a memorial site, then we go with that option. The issue of salvaging the vessel, if the families feel that we should go ahead and salvage the vessel, the government is likely to honour the wishes of the family. So you have two options there, right?”

Crucial evidence

Addressing concerns regarding whether leaving the vessel submerged would compromise crucial evidence, such as the condition of the engine and navigational aids, needed for an upcoming Commission of Inquiry (COI), Prime Minister Phillips reiterated that the administration is committed to the truth while balancing emotional considerations. “We want to get to the truth, but we want to also honour the wishes of the family. A commission of inquiry, if we are unable to salvage the vessel, a commission of inquiry will still be done. That is the reality,” Phillips stated. “Government has nothing to hide. Government has nothing to hide. I can tell you up front. We have nothing to hide.”

Phillips confirmed that President Irfaan Ali was actively engaging families directly in Mabaruma to discuss these developments and gather their input through a formal document.

Sway decisions

Responding to media questions about whether the government was attempting to sway decisions, Phillips firmly denied the notion, stating, “No, no, Government is not trying to convince anybody to say anything here.” He added that the idea of a memorial site originated directly from community discussions, explaining, “That came out from some discussion with the families of the survivors who were still missing… As we seek to bring closure, we want to respect the wishes of the families of those who have passed during this terrible incident.”

During the press briefing, Prime Minister Phillips provided an operational status report on the search and recovery efforts. He detailed that a total of 18 assets remain actively deployed, comprising three aircraft and 15 maritime vessels maintaining continuous coverage across a search grid extending west to Waini Point and east to Adventure.

Death toll

Regarding the human toll, Phillips reported that 77 persons were initially rescued, though one survivor subsequently died, bringing the count of survivors to 76. The number of recovered bodies stands at 73, while an estimated 30 persons remain unaccounted for or deemed missing. Of the 73 recovered bodies, five have not yet been positively identified, prompting appeals from the Ministry of Health for public assistance so the remains can be released to relatives for interment. All positively identified bodies have been handed over to their respective families for burial.

When questioned about the legal proceedings and why the captain and crew members were charged with murder instead of manslaughter, Phillips declined to comment directly, directing reporters to the press release issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Furthermore, when asked about reputable global salvage companies offering assistance, he noted that proposals have come in from international firms, though he did not disclose specific company names. Addressing long-term maritime infrastructure, Prime Minister Phillips revealed that corrective work at Port Kaituma is projected to be completed earliest by January 2027.

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• Azruddin Mohamed, human death toll, MV Barima

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