Guyana's President Ali Says Efforts Being Made to Re-Float Vessel as Search Continues For Survivors

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - President Irfaan Ali said buoyancy bags will be used to try and re-float the MV Barima which capsized last Saturday resulting in the deaths so far of 57 people, including 15 children and the rescue of 76 others.

President Irfaan Ali speaking on Wednesday to relatives of those passengers from the ill-fated MV Barima vessel (CMC Photo)The official manifest for the vessel showed it had 116 passengers and 17 member crew, but officials say that the figure could be 179 as the search and rescue operations continue. Latest figures released by the government state that four bodies were recovered on Wednesday, bringing the figure to 57, of which 44 have been positively identified by family members. So far  18 of those identified have been released to their families.

Ali, speaking to the families of persons who were on board the vessel, said “today is going to be a very complex operation” and that Guyana Coast Guard, assisted by several regional and international partners will utilise a number of specialised boats and specialised pieces of equipment, “some of which are already mobilised…to try to get inside of the wreckage, to get inside of the wreck”.

He said on Tuesday, divers were able to have a full assessment of the situation including the positioning of the wreck, the challenges and difficulties.

“So right now, the operation will have started to try to position the wreck so that entry can be made to make as much recovery as we can from within the wreck,”  Ali said, adding that the rescue teams are “trying to reposition the vessel …to see if they can move the vessel to shallow waters and then enter the vessel to make as much recovery as possible”.

He said another aspect of the operation will be the launching of 1,500 tonnes of buoyancy airbags.

“The divers are going to try to get down to the vessel, to tie these buoyancy airbags onto the vessel, to see if they can lift the vessel. Because we want to maximise every potential in making maximum recovery as possible,” he said.

Ali  said that while he is awaiting a first report from the team, today, two additional troops on foot will be conducting searches along the coastline and that a “chopper will be deployed once again and other technology to maximise our opportunity today in terms of recovery.

“As you know, we are racing against time. And they’re going to be trying everything, all the tools, assets are out there. So to the families, we’re going to continue to be here with you, again, all day, today, tonight, as we confront this difficult, unimaginable, heartbreaking situation.”

Ali said he is continuing to pray that the relatives “are granted the faith and the patience and the spiritual food to help you through this period.

“We are also going to assemble here tonight for prayers. As you know, this is a site that was heavily laden with grief. This is a site where most of the loved ones recovered came and tonight, in our national day of prayer, we’ll have members of the community join us here in prayers for their loved ones, our loved ones, and the beautiful souls that were left us.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips urged Guyanese to stand together in support of the families affected by the MV Barima tragedy as the country observes three days of national mourning.

He told a radio programme here that this period of mourning should be marked by compassion, prayer and solidarity as the nation continues to grieve the lives lost in the maritime disaster.

“This is a time that, as a nation, we all have to hold hands together and see ourselves through this difficult moment in our country,” Phillips said, encouraging religious organisations across Guyana to continue praying for the victims, survivors and grieving families.

“While we offer psychosocial assistance, we recognise that, at this time, prayers are also effective in helping people to cope with what they are going through,” he said, expressing gratitude to all those who have contributed to the ongoing search and recovery efforts.

“I also want to express our appreciation to all those people out there, not only on the Coast Guard, the Police and the government side, but also to all the private individuals who participated and continue to be out there as part of this whole effort to recover bodies,” Prime Minister Phillips said, reiterating that the government remains focused on bringing closure to affected families while continuing search and recovery operations and providing every possible form of assistance during this difficult period.