‘Seaworthiness of MV Barima was MARAD’s responsibility, not charged crew’s’ - Dr. Todd

‘Seaworthiness of MV Barima was MARAD’s responsibility, not charged crew’s’ – Dr. Todd

Jul 31, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – Attorney-at-law and APNU Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Dexter Todd said on Thursday that determining the seaworthiness of the recently sunken MV Barima was never the responsibility of the crew members now facing murder charges, but rather that of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).

Dr Todd made the comments at a special press conference addressing the case of the three surviving crew members who have been charged in connection with the disaster. He was responding to questions on whether the men had disclosed any information about the vessel’s navigational aids, sea bridges, or overall seaworthiness.

‘Seaworthiness of MV Barima was MARAD’s responsibility, not charged crew’s’ - Dr. Todd

Attorney-at-Law Dr Dexter Todd

While he stopped short of revealing the substance of his discussions with his clients, citing professional ethics, Dr Todd was unambiguous on where accountability for the vessel’s condition rests.

“None of the parties charged are to determine seaworthiness of that vessel,” he said. “Seaworthiness of the vessel carries a particular procedure, and that has to be determined by, of course, MARAD, which [holds] the power, and of course [is] informed by the subject minister.”

The press conference followed an emotionally charged scene at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where Captain Kevin Price — at the helm of the MV Barima when it sank on July 18 — broke down while being escorted into the building, insisting the vessel was unfit to sail.

“I ain’t deserve this, Father God. I want you to answer my prayers here this morning, Father God. I ain’t deserve this, Father God,” Price cried out as he was led in, handcuffed.

The 40-year-old, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, appeared alongside fellow crew member Rondell Dwayne, 42, of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara. All three have been jointly charged with murder in relation to the ferry disaster.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy, Price told reporters the vessel he had been assigned to operate was 87 years old and plagued with defects.

“Everybody knows is an old vessel the government give me to wuk, 87 years old is that vessel,” he said.

According to Price, the MV Barima was missing critical safety and emergency equipment mandated for maritime operations. He said the anchor was non-functional, the vessel had no radar, no search-and-rescue transponder, and no Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) — a satellite-linked distress device used to alert search-and-rescue authorities during a marine emergency.

He further alleged that the vessel’s life rafts had been expired since 2022, despite a prior Maritime inspection that did not result in the vessel being decommissioned.

“Those life rafts expired since 2022, and Maritime did an inspection and did not write off that vessel,” Price said.

The MV Barima capsized on the night of July 18 while en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One, killing 73 people, including children, with at least 30 more still missing at sea.

In the weeks since, the disaster has triggered mounting public scrutiny over the vessel’s maintenance history, regulatory oversight, passenger manifest, and whether it was overloaded with passengers and cargo. Survivors and relatives of victims have alleged overloading; government authorities have denied the claims.

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Dr. Dexter Todd, MARAD, MV Barima, seaworthiness

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