MV BARIMA DISASTER: Edghill remains as COI announced
July 24 2026
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that an international and independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) will be established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the MV Barima, with the five-member panel to be announced on Sunday July 25 2026.
In a statement on Saturday, the President said the Commission will comprise distinguished experts in law, marine engineering, maritime safety and disaster investigation.
He said the members were chosen for their independence, technical expertise and proven ability, and will be free to determine their own procedures and methods of work.
The Commission has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation into the disaster, including the events leading to the vessel’s capsizing and sinking, the emergency response, and all related matters.
Its inquiry will examine whether there were any shortcomings or failures that contributed to the tragedy, recommend accountability where necessary, and propose reforms to strengthen Guyana’s maritime transport system.
The investigation will cover several key areas, including the vessel’s loading, passenger boarding procedures, seaworthiness, maintenance history, compliance with maritime safety laws, the conduct of the captain and crew, passenger management, life-saving equipment, and the role of weather and sea conditions.
The Commission will also review the search, rescue and recovery operation to assess the coordination and effectiveness of the response by all agencies and stakeholders involved.
According to President Ali, the Commission will have the authority to determine whether negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty or institutional failures contributed to the disaster and recommend any legislative, regulatory, institutional or operational changes needed to prevent a similar tragedy.
The announcement comes in the wake of the MV Barima disaster, one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in Guyana’s history, which claimed dozens of lives.
The President’s announcement, however, made no mention of any administrative action against public officials.
In the days since the tragedy, there has been growing public criticism directed at Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, with calls from sections of the public for his removal over alleged failures relating to maritime oversight and safety.
To date, the Government has not indicated that it intends to take any action regarding the Minister while the investigation is pending.
