MV Barima CoI to last 6 months amid boycotts, protest over unsalvaged vessel
(Kaieteur News) – The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima disaster will likely take up to six months to complete its work and produce a final report, despite a two-month timeframe initially mandated by the president.
Commission Secretary Javed Shadick at a press briefing on Tuesday explained that interviewing over 100 potential contacts, managing cross-examinations, and conducting regional field visits mean the two-month deadline is unrealistic. An interim or final report is now expected within six months.
The extended timeline coincides with a low initial turnout of witnesses, alongside deep hesitation from victims’ families over the sunken ship itself. According to Shadick, only one person has formally approached the secretariat to indicate an intent to provide evidence as sittings and site visits begin.
“I would say now that not many persons have stepped forward. Only one person has met with the secretariat, informing us of their intent to step forward,” Shadick stated.
Secretary Javed Shadick
The low participation follows strong pushback from grieving relatives. Speaking to Kaieteur News during their weekly protest outside the office of the president, family members of the deceased stated they are unwilling to participate in the CoI because the MV Barima has not been salvaged. They contend that a thorough investigation into seaworthiness and capacity is impossible without a physical inspection of the vessel’s hull.
Furthermore, members of the crew and the captain, including those currently remanded or facing legal proceedings, are eligible to testify. “They are most welcome to [give evidence],” Shadick noted, adding that constitutional protections against self-incrimination will apply.
The commission’s legal team, led by counsel Arudranauth Gossai and Teni Housty, alongside maritime technical experts on the panel, will interview witnesses grouped into distinct categories, first responders, maritime officials, technical experts, and survivors.
The commission has outlined an intensive upcoming itinerary to begin its work. Sittings will commence with an initial open listening session at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, followed by an afternoon meeting with survivors and families of the victims. On Thursday at 09:00 AM, the panel will conduct a site inspection of Kingston Wharf, followed by visual inspections at the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) on Friday. Sittings will then expand next week to include field outreach visits in Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.
Reporters raised additional procedural hurdles facing the six-month probe, including incomplete passenger manifests, potential crew fatigue, and communication challenges with non-English speaking survivors or families.
The secretariat confirmed that translation services and counseling support are being put in place for foreign-language participants. To address missing manifest data and overcrowding claims, commissioners with specialized maritime expertise will analyze all available operational documentation gathered by legal counsel.
To overcome the high aviation costs that prevent Region One residents from traveling to Georgetown, the commission will consider taking its sittings directly to Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, and surrounding hinterland communities depending on “the numbers”.
Source: Kaieteur News
