The Government of Guyana has received several international proposals to salvage the MV Barima, which remains on the seabed offshore Essequibo.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips disclosed the offers during a press briefing on Tuesday, July 28. He said the government will consider the views of the victims’ families before deciding whether to recover the vessel or preserve the site as a memorial.
“There are several…proposals for the salvaging of the vessel and as I speak with you, in addition to those offers to salvage the vessel, it is the wishes of the family that are important at this stage,” the prime minister explained. “…if there is an indication from the family that they prefer that the area be deemed a memorial site, then we go that option, but if the family feels we should go ahead and salvage the vessel then the Government is likely to go ahead with that.”
The prime minister said several relatives have indicated that they would prefer the site to become a memorial.
Diving operations at the wreck were suspended on Monday because of the difficult conditions encountered underwater. Divers had been supporting the search and recovery operation at the sunken vessel.
Phillips said the independent Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy will proceed whether the vessel is salvaged or remains on the seabed. Questions were raised during the briefing about whether the wreck may contain evidence required by the commission.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced the commission on Sunday last. It will be chaired by former Belize Court of Appeal Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith.
The other members are Polish maritime expert Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski, Jamaican master mariner Captain Hamada Fouda, Trinidad and Tobago Attorney-at-Law Nyree Dawn Alfonso, and retired Trinidad and Tobago Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard.
Search and recovery operations remain active away from the wreck site. The government reported on July 28 that 73 bodies had been recovered. Five remained unidentified, while 30 people were still unaccounted for.
Authorities initially rescued 77 passengers and crew members. One survivor later died, reducing the number of survivors to 76.
The operation involves 15 vessels and three aircraft. Maritime and aerial teams are covering an area stretching from Waini Point in the west to Adventure in the east.
Chief of the General Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts said an after-action review will begin within one or two days of the search operation ending.
The review will examine communications, equipment, interagency coordination, and operational capabilities. Its findings will inform recommendations aimed at strengthening Guyana’s response to future maritime emergencies.
