Venezuelan diver here to refloat MV Barima dies in Guyanese waters

Last Updated on Sunday, 1 November 2026, 20:29 by Writer

Days after his death, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirms that a Venezuelan diver, here to refloat the MV Barima ferry, perished while trying to salvage another vessel in the Essequibo River.

Luis Martinez, 66, reportedly died about 6:30 p.m. last Wednesday about 10 nautical miles off the coast of Anna Regina, Essequibo.

“Upon arrival at the location, Martinez reportedly entered the water to carry out diving operations. However, after approximately 20 minutes, he failed to resurface, causing concern among the crew members.

The crew subsequently pulled Martinez from the water using a rope attached to his body and discovered that he was motionless and frothing at the mouth,” the GPF said in a statement.

The Ministry of Public Works, responsible for the Transport and Harbours Department, referred enquiries to the Ministry of Public Utilities, under which maritime search and rescue falls, but a spokeswoman did not immediately provide any information.

Police said preliminary investigations revealed that Martinez departed the Kingston wharf in Georgetown at about 5:14 p.m. aboard a vessel with several other crew members to participate in an operation to refloat another vessel in the Essequibo River.

Martinez was subsequently transported to the Transport and Harbours Department wharf at Stabroek, Georgetown, where ambulance personnel were summoned.

He was pronounced dead on Thursday at about 2:30 p.m.

Police said the body was examined and no marks of violence were observed on the exposed parts.

The body was subsequently escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination, police added.