The President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, acting pursuant to Section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, has established a Commission appointing and authorising a Chairman and four other Commissioners to inquire into the marine casualty involving the M/V “BARIMA” on the night of the 18th July, 2026.
The Objectives of the Commission of Inquiry are as follows:
- The Commission shall conduct a thorough, independent, impartial and comprehensive public inquiry into all circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the M/V “BARIMA”, the tragic loss of life, the response thereto, and all matters reasonably connected therewith.
- The Commission shall establish, so far as the evidence permits, the full facts and sequence of events; determine the immediate, direct, contributing and systematic causes of the casualty; identify any shortcomings or failures; assess compliance with applicable legal and safety requirements; recommend appropriate accountability where warranted; and propose reforms necessary to strengthen maritime safety and prevent a recurrence.
- In examining the technical aspects of the marine casualty, the Commission may have regard to relevant national laws and internationally recognised marine casualty investigation principles and standards, including, where applicable, the Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into the Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (“Casualty Investigation Code”). The Commission’s mandate shall not, however, be limited to a safety investigation and shall extend to public accountability, institutional performance and reform.
Pursuant to the foregoing the Commission hereby invites members of the public, government and non-governmental organisations, private and public entities and international community who possess knowledge and relevant information and or recommendations to contact the Office of the Secretariat at:
The Office of the Secretariat
Arthur Chung Conference Centre
5-E Half Orchid Drive
Liliendaal
East Coast Demerara
Or
Submitted via email: presidentialcommissiongy@gmail.com
Or via WhatsApp on 592 674 7473
Note that all persons with information relevant to the Terms of Reference will be required to attend and give evidence before the Commission at a time and hour as the Commissioners shall prescribe.
The Commission is statutorily empowered to summon any person to attend and give evidence or to produce books, plans or documents at any sitting of the Commission and give testimony connected with the inquiry as the Commissioners shall prescribe.