GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The five-member Commission of Inquiry (COI) investigating the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima is continuing its preliminary investigations ahead of the start of formal hearings scheduled for October 14, 2026.
On Thursday, October 8, the Commissioners inspected key port facilities and boarded a passenger ferry as part of efforts to understand the operational procedures and maritime infrastructure relevant to the investigation. More than 100 people are expected to provide oral testimony during the inquiry.
Commissioners Inspect Port Facilities
The inspection began at the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) wharf on Water Street, Kingston, Georgetown, where the team examined operational areas, including the bond, weighing scale and CCTV room.
T&HD General Manager Yurlander Hughes facilitated the visit and provided assistance during the inspection.
The Commissioners subsequently boarded the MV Ma Lisha, which operates between Georgetown and Port Kaituma, to gain firsthand insight into passenger ferry operations.
The team also visited the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), where members held a private meeting with Director General Captain Stephen Thomas.
These visits form part of the Commission’s preliminary evidence-gathering process, allowing members to examine relevant facilities, review records and familiarise themselves with maritime operations before formal testimony begins.
Formal Hearings to Begin October 14
The Commission is scheduled to begin oral hearings at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Commission Chairman Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith said the inquiry is expected to take approximately six months to complete. Upon completion, the Commission will submit its report to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
More than 100 witnesses are expected to contribute testimony as the inquiry examines the facts and circumstances surrounding the sinking of the MV Barima.
Five-Member Commission Leads Investigation
The Commission is chaired by Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize. Its other members are Captain Hamada Fouda, a senior maritime surveyor and compliance auditor with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica; Nyree Dawn Alfonso, a Trinidad and Tobago attorney specialising in admiralty and maritime law; Dr Andrzej Jasionowski, a Polish naval architect and marine engineer; and Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard, a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.
The Commission was established following the July 18, 2026, tragedy and its members were sworn in on July 30.
The inquiry is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s sinking and provide findings and recommendations following the examination of evidence.
The upcoming hearings mark a significant stage in the investigation, as witnesses are expected to provide information that will assist the Commissioners in assessing the events surrounding the tragedy.