Richard Montgomery was a crew member aboard the MV Barima when it sank on July 18 on its way from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Region One (Barima-Waini).
While 77 persons were rescued, 30 persons, including Richard, remain missing. His son, Richard Moore, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Tuesday, reflected on the emotional journey since the vessel capsized one week ago, describing the painful transition from hoping his father had survived to confronting the harsh realities of the recovery operation.
Despite the overwhelming grief, Moore said the government’s efforts to support relatives through accommodation, counselling and regular engagement made a meaningful difference.
“Things like accommodation, the well wishes, the social workers checking in for me and checking in for my sister, those things were there. This is not to appease anybody. This is just basically from my experience,” he said.
Moore explained that being in Charity, Region Two, allowed him to remain close to the recovery effort, receive updates directly from the rescue teams and better understand the extraordinary challenges faced by the international divers working at the wreck site.
He noted that hearing firsthand from the French divers about the unprecedented conditions they encountered helped him come to terms with the situation, even as he continues to hope for identification of his father’s remains.
While acknowledging the care extended to his family, Moore recognised that others may have had different experiences as they grieve. He said every family is coping in its own way and stressed that his comments reflect only his personal experience throughout the tragedy.
Moore also commended President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali for maintaining direct contact with affected families, noting that their discussions centred on understanding the needs of those left behind.
He said, “The president was trying to ascertain who the dependents are, how could we go about assisting them, what kind of help they need, and what is the void that was left because of this person.”
He explained that the president sought to understand the financial and emotional impact of the tragedy on families, particularly those who depended on the deceased crew members for support. Although appreciative of the assistance received, Moore said the country must now ensure that lessons are learned from the disaster.
He maintained that while every effort should continue to recover the remaining victims, accountability is equally important.
“All that can be done must be done, and then we’re going to have that, including the accountability aspect of it. I think that in itself would bring closure to people,” he said.
Moore said the tragedy has deeply affected not only his own family but the entire nation, adding that everyone responsible must be held accountable once investigations are complete.