Guyana: The MV Barima Tragedy Puts The Spotlight On A Decades-Old Issue – An Aging Ferry Fleet

What this source establishes

An analysis tracing 15 years of documented warnings about Guyana's ferry fleet. It states that Port Kaituma residents demanded a newer vessel as early as 2010, that the Granger government acknowledged the problem in 2015, and that the state chose a 150.6 million Guyanese dollar rehabilitation in 2017 over replacement. It reports that the March 2026 tender put a further 124.5 million dollars into the Barima while no purpose-built replacement was funded in the 2026 budget. It also records that a fisherman, Haresh Singh, not the military, located the wreck.

Figures cited in this source

27 confirmed dead, 83 unaccounted for, 69 rescued (Monday); also cites an earlier count of 67 rescued and 10 confirmed dead; some 133 people aboard

Key claims

• Confirmed death toll risen to 27 with 83 unaccounted for — Guyana government, Monday
• Identification process involving relatives is being carried out at Suddie Hospital
• Maritime Rescue Coordination Center deployed 13 assets from first light Monday; 69 people rescued
• The ferry's location was identified not by the military or divers but at 13:31 hrs by a fisherman, Haresh Singh, who had assisted rescue efforts the previous day — the government
• A 15-member French Armed Forces team from French Guiana including 12 specialist divers, two medics and a mechanic arrived, led by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Touboul — President Irfaan Ali
• The ferry capsized roughly seven miles offshore near the mouth of the Pomeroon River
• Port Kaituma residents began publicly calling for a newer, faster vessel as early as 2010
• By 2015 officials acknowledged North-West District ferries were aging; then-Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon under the David Granger government said old vessels should not remain in service much longer
• In 2017 the government spent 150.6 million Guyanese dollars rehabilitating the vessel — hull, propellers, rudders, two new engines and passenger accommodation
• The 87-year-old ship was built in Scotland in 1939
• Minister Juan Edghill dismissed claims the vessel was unseaworthy, saying it was 'operating within its routine maintenance schedule and was due for planned dry-docking later this year'
• MV Malali built 1962 and MV Makouria built 1959 remain technically active but are prone to frequent mechanical breakdowns and parts shortages
• In March 2026 the Ministry of Public Works invited bids for a $440 million rehabilitation initiative covering MV Ma Lisha, MV Barima and MB Hercules, with $124.5 million earmarked for the Barima
• Guyana's 2025 budget allocated 9.9 billion Guyanese dollars for river transportation, rising to 11.2 billion for 2026, but no purpose-built vessel to retire the Barima outright was funded
• In 2025 the administration acquired the Kalliopi N, carrying 284 passengers and 51 vehicles, for the Georgetown-to-Region One route

Quotations

• “the vessel was operating within its routine maintenance schedule and was due for planned dry-docking later this year”— Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works, rejecting unseaworthiness claims

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