Press Statement by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips
At first light, thirteen assets were deployed to augment the rescue operations that had continued throughout the night in search of the MV Barima passengers and crew.
At approximately 09:26 hrs, debris was sighted at sea by a pilot vessel, and shortly thereafter, the GDFS Shahoud identified a substantial debris field some 2.5 nautical miles off the coast of Devonshire Castle Flats.
The body of a female was recovered off the coast at Moruca at approximately 10:35 hrs. By 13:49 hrs, the team, led by the Guyana Defence Force-Coast Guard, and includes MARAD, had recovered an additional eight bodies, bringing the total number of bodies recovered since the start of these operations to 10.
Through the aggressive and coordinated efforts of all responding agencies and stakeholders, the location of the MV Barima was positively confirmed. The location was initially reported by fisherman Haresh Singh, who had also assisted in the rescue operations on the previous day. Support from local fisherfolk, and the collaborative efforts by Exxon Mobil Guyana, VESHI utilizing Sealand Survey’s Gilligan Island- a survey vessel- proved invaluable in confirming the vessel’s exact position. The vessel was found rested on the seabed close to the point of initial distress communicated by the Air Traffic Control tower, Nine miles offshore Devonshire Castle, Flats.
The Government of France, through the French Arm Forces, has provided additional critical support with the deployment of fifteen divers, who have since joined the local dive teams at the confirmed vessel site. Additional search and dive capabilities are to be provided by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
At this stage of the operations, the number of rescued persons, including passengers and crew number 69. A total of 27 bodies have been recovered thus far.
The latest reports suggest an additional eighty-three (83) persons to be found.
The Ministry of Health and the Guyana Police Force have established joint protocols for the processing, transport and storage of the deceased. As was previously indicated, family members will subsequently be invited to undertake identification procedures at the Suddie Hospital.
The Government of Guyana extends its sincere gratitude to all stakeholders whose dedication and cooperation contribute to the rescue and recovery efforts.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre will remain operational, and rescue and recovery efforts will continue.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the affected families and the Guyanese public.
