–Minister Edghill says ferry met safety requirements, was operating within its certified passenger and cargo limits, and had undergone repeated rehabilitation and repairs
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has dismissed claims that the MV Barima was unseaworthy, insisting the vessel was fully certified to operate and was not overloaded with either passengers or cargo at the time of the tragedy.
Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, Edghill said misinformation circulating on social media suggesting the ferry was unsafe or operating beyond its capacity was not supported by the facts.
Responding to concerns about the vessel’s condition, Edghill said the MV Barima was seaworthy and had undergone extensive maintenance over the years to ensure it remained fit for service.
Addressing claims that the MV Barima was unfit to sail, Edghill said there was “no report of any kind that suggests unworthiness of the vessel.”
He explained that the ferry was last dry-docked in 2024 and was due for another scheduled dry docking later this year.
He said the document circulating on social media was merely a bill of quantities outlining anticipated maintenance works for contractors and should not be interpreted as evidence that the vessel was unsafe to operate.
He added that preparing such documents is a routine part of maintaining a vessel’s seaworthiness.
Built in 1939, the 87-year-old MV Barima has served as a critical passenger and cargo ferry linking Georgetown with Port Kaituma and Kumaka in Region One for decades.
The vessel underwent a major rehabilitation before being recommissioned in March 2017.
It also underwent significant repairs in 2022 and again in 2024, as the government continued investing in the ageing vessel while pursuing plans to modernise the ferry fleet.
According to Edghill, the MV Barima was operating within its certified limits at the time of the tragedy, carrying 268 tonnes of manifested cargo against a certified capacity of 284 tonnes.
He added that the vessel was carrying 116 passengers and 17 crew members, despite being licensed to accommodate more than 300 passengers.
The minister also maintained that the ferry was equipped with the required life-saving equipment, including inflatable and rigid life rafts, noting that many of the survivors were rescued after taking refuge aboard one of the inflatable rafts.
Edghill said authorities remain focused on determining exactly what caused the tragedy and urged the public to avoid speculation while the official investigation continues.
The government has urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation while the official investigation is underway, noting that premature conclusions could cause unnecessary distress to affected families.
The government has also reiterated its commitment to establishing exactly what caused the tragedy and assured the public that anyone found to have acted negligently or in breach of the law would be held accountable.
