Govt. floats leaving MV Barima on seabed as memorial site

What this source establishes

Reports that Prime Minister Phillips said the vessel is "likely to remain there as is", that no one has been contacted to raise it, and that "it's obvious that bodies are trapped in the wreck". A draft Declaration of Agreement circulated to families on 25 July asks them to accept the wreck as an undisturbed memorial. Relatives state the proposal may abandon salvage prematurely and obscure evidence before the Commission of Inquiry can inspect the hull.

Key claims

• The Prime Minister states the vessel is 'likely to remain there as is' and that no one has been contacted to raise it - a departure from the 24-25 July position that boats were standing by to right the wreck
• The Prime Minister states 'it's obvious that bodies are trapped in the wreck' and that attempts to move the vessel onto its keel have not succeeded
• A draft 'Declaration of Agreement' asking families to accept the wreck as an undisturbed sacred memorial was circulated on Saturday 25 July
• Relatives allege the memorial proposal may abandon salvage prematurely and obscure physical evidence before the Commission of Inquiry can inspect the hull
• The report contrasts this with President Ali's 20 July assurance that the effort would continue 'until every possible avenue has been exhausted'
• [SINGLE SOURCE] the report states sources in Charity confirm recovery efforts have scaled down considerably while the government maintains they are ongoing
• The French team states the wreck 'is not very strong', bearing on whether it could be raised intact
• Families state Guyana has the resources to hire specialised international salvage firms

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