Prime Minister Brigadier (re’td) Mark Phillips said the families of the MV Barima tragedy will decide whether the capsized vessel will be salvaged or left in place as a memorial site.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, he said that the government will be guided by the wishes of the victims’ relatives.
He stressed that their preferences remain the priority as recovery efforts continue.
He explained that while offers have been made to salvage the vessel, the final decision rests with the families.
“If the family feels that we should go ahead and salvage the vessel, the government is likely to honour the wishes of the family. The family’s wishes is what is important now,” he emphasised.
The prime minister further highlighted that diving activities were suspended on Monday as a result of the challenging conditions encountered by divers.
Thus, the government is now considering the two available options for the vessel’s future.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced that an independent Commission of Inquiry will probe the MV Barima tragedy, in keeping the commitment he made to the families at the outset of the tragedy.
On Sunday, the president announced that the commission will be chaired by Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize and includes Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, Captain Hamada Fouda of Jamaica, Attorney-at-Law Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago, and Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago.