Opposition Leader Offers to Salvage MV Barima, Blasts Gov’t for Denying Families Closure

Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has sharply criticised the Government’s decision not to raise the sunken MV Barima, describing the move as “an act of cruelty” toward families whose loved ones remain missing and offering to personally coordinate an international salvage operation to recover the vessel.

In a statement recorded to his social media page, Mohamed said the Government had abandoned any genuine effort to recover the ferry despite families pleading for the remains of relatives believed to still be trapped inside the wreck.

“The government decision that it would not raise the MV Barima while scores of families are still waiting on their loved ones who are still missing is an act of cruelty toward those families. Families have reached out to me saying they want the bodies of their loved ones, even if all that remain are bones.”

The MV Barima sank on July 18 off Guyana’s northwestern coast, claiming dozens of lives in what has become the country’s deadliest maritime disaster. In the aftermath, the Government launched a Commission of Inquiry but later announced that the vessel would not be salvaged, indicating instead that it could remain on the seabed as a memorial.

Mohamed rejected that decision, arguing that authorities had failed to pursue every available option before abandoning recovery efforts.

“The government did not exhaust every possible option. They have not sought out international help with the expertise and equipment to recover that vessel. Yet, they are already talking about turning it into a memorial.”

He questioned the administration’s motives for leaving the wreck on the seabed.

“There is a reason this administration does not want the MV Barima brought to the surface. What are they hiding?”

Mohamed also repeated concerns about the vessel’s condition and loading before it departed Georgetown, citing allegations that have emerged since the tragedy.

“The vessel was overloaded and should not be carrying the volume of cargo it was carrying. One of the engines was down, and an overloaded vessel needs both engines, especially to navigate rough waters. We have heard from the captain who they arrested and charged for murder. That the vessel had no functioning emergency position indicating radio beacon, no search and rescue transponder, an inoperable anchor, no operational radar, and life rafts expired since 2022.”

Following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, police have charged three employees of the Transport and Harbours Department, including the vessel’s captain, with72-count of murder under common law in connection with the disaster.

Mohamed further alleged that the ferry was routinely used to transport construction materials and other cargo destined for major projects in Region One—cargo he contended should have been moved by barge rather than on a passenger vessel.

“The Barima had been transporting construction materials and other cargo for big businessmen and those with major projects in Region One. Cargo that should otherwise be transported by barge. We may never know the truth because they do not want to recover the vessel and let the evidence speak.”

He also challenged Public Works Minister Juan Edghill’s explanation that the ferry had not been overloaded.

On July 19, the day after the sinking, Edghill said: “There was no engine problem or any mechanical problem. Even the survivors who made videos from the hospital, they’re telling you what happened. And it had nothing to do with overload and boat taking in water. It had to do with the tide. Please be advised that the MV Barima is licensed to carry 284 tons of cargo. The cargo manifest shows that we had 268 tons, way below the cargo load. Secondly, the MV Barima is licensed to carry 397 passengers, and we only had 116 passengers on board. The misinformation of overloading as the cause of this incident must be dealt with for what it is, misinformation and something to create panic and public mischief, and we reject that in a very strongest terms.”

Mohamed argued that the Minister had relied on the vessel’s gross tonnage, which measures internal volume for regulatory purposes, rather than its deadweight, which represents the maximum safe combined weight of passengers, cargo, fuel, water and other loads.

He maintained that the MV Barima’s deadweight was 198 tons and claimed that, based on Edghill’s own statement that there were 268 tons aboard, “the vessel was carrying about 70 tons more than its dead weight capacity.”

“It is Edghill who should have been arrested and remanded to prison,” Mohamed said.

The Opposition Leader concluded by declaring his willingness to organize and finance the recovery of the vessel if granted government approval.

“Let me make my position clear. I, Azruddin Muhammad, leader of the opposition, am prepared to undertake this salvage operation. I have already engaged international partners who have assured me they have the equipment, expertise, and capability to bring the MV Barima to the surface. Give me the permission to float this vessel. I will recover the vessel so that the COI can be properly conducted. I will do everything possible to recover the remains of those still trapped, provide families with the closure they deserve, and ensure that every piece of evidence is preserved. If the government truly has nothing to hide, then there should be no objection to bringing up the MV Barima.”