Last Updated on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, 13:06 by Written By Denis Chabrol
The five-member Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the sinking of the MV Barima ferry is interested in hearing from the captain, crew and goods superintendent but they could refuse to provide evidence because they are facing a murder charge for 76 persons who perished in the mishap, COI Chairman Justice Godfrey Smith said Wednesday.
“I am aware that three personnel, the captain and crew members, have been charged. Obviously, it is plain to us that they would have information we would wish to hear. We definitely will want to hear from them,” he told a news briefing after the formal opening of public hearings into the July 18 disaster, the worst in Guyana’s maritime history.
In his opening statement, he said the qualifications, training, experience and operational readiness of the master, officers and crew would be examined as well as their conduct before and during the voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma and their actions when the emergency arose.
At the news briefing, he said the lawyers for the trio–Kevin Price called “KP”, 40, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara; the chief mate, Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, and the goods superintendent, Delon Granderson, 33, of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara-would decide whether they would allow them to speak./
He said if the murder-accused refuse to speak, the inquirers could not force them to do so, even as he noted that there was “already a plethora of information before us and evidence and much more to come.”
“It will be up to them and their legal representatives to determine whether they will allow them to speak. If their lawyers advise them you cannot speak or you should not speak on pain of incriminating yourself, and they choose to act on that, it is beyond the powers of this Commission of Inquiry to do anything about that particular situation,” he said. Justice Smith, a former judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, said the report of a Commission of Inquiry may be the “catalyst for civil and criminal proceedings to follow.”
Charity Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir will this month hand down his decision on whether there was an abuse of process in instituting the murder charge. Defence lawyer Dexter Todd told the court on that the Shipping Act provides first for the holding of marine accident investigation first before a criminal investigation by police.
Justice Smith said the COI team was confident that they would be able to “get as close as possible to the truth”. He reiterated that the commission had no power to do anything if the three men opted to “rely on their rights.
“The matter is squarely for persons who have been summoned or subpoenaed to seek legal advice. (22:21) Even if they don’t seek legal advice, we are obliged to inform them of their rights, so that they don’t unconsciously prejudice themselves,” he said.
The COI Chairman did not rule out Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, whose ministry is responsible for the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), and Public Utilities Minister Deodat Indar, whose portfolio includes the regulatory Maritime Administration (MARAD) appearing before the inquiry.
“We have not reached that stage yet. We are still drawing up lists of witnesses. We are still examining the evidence. But rest assured, as I said in the opening statement, the evidence will be followed wherever it leads and if it becomes clear that we require the evidence of a minister, they will be asked to come before the Commission,” he said.
Asked to comment why it would not be automatic for ministers Edghill and Indar to appear before the COI in light of public calls for them to give account because they are responsible for the sector, Justice Smith said the commission was wary of rushing to “predetermined conclusions.” “We are collecting as much information as we can, and we promise you that we will follow the evidence wherever it leads,” he said.
Official figures show that of the estimated 179 passengers and crew who were aboard the MV Barima when it sank on July 18 about 10 miles off the Essequibo Coast, and 76 persons were rescued and 73 others perished in the tragedy.
