Captain Hamada Fouda brings int’l maritime expertise to MV Barima COI

Captain Hamada Fouda, an internationally respected maritime safety specialist with more than 35 years of experience in marine regulation and casualty investigations, has been appointed as one of five commissioners tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima tragedy, announced by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Sunday.

The Commission is chaired by Godfrey Smith and includes Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard, and Dr Andrzej Jasionowski.

With more than 35 years of maritime experience, Captain Fouda specialises in marine casualty investigations, vessel safety and international maritime compliance. Since 2019, he has led investigations into marine accidents under the IMO Casualty Investigation Code, identifying causes and recommending measures to prevent future incidents.

His expertise will support the Commission of Inquiry as it examines the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima tragedy and develops recommendations to strengthen maritime safety.

One week after the MV Barima tragedy, Guyana continues to grieve the loss of lives following the vessel’s capsizing en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), with 179 people on board. To date, 76 survivors have been rescued, 73 bodies recovered, while 30 people remain missing.

The work of the commission will determine the facts surrounding the disaster, determine whether failures occurred, and recommend reforms to strengthen Guyana’s maritime safety framework.

President Ali, during a televised address on Saturday, said the inquiry forms part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that every aspect of the tragedy is independently examined and that lessons learned will guide improvements to Guyana’s maritime sector.

See full credentials:
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Flag State Survey & Certification (SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line, Tonnage)
• Port State Control Inspection (Paris MOU / Caribbean MOU framework)
• Marine Casualty & Incident Investigation
• ISM Code, ISPS Code & MLC 2006 Lead Auditing
• IMO Convention Interpretation & Regulatory Advisory
• Digital Certification Systems & Compliance Reporting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Surveyor — Maritime Authority of Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica | 09/2011– [Present]
• Conduct flag State surveys and inspections of Jamaican-registered vessels for compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL, load line, and tonnage conventions.
• Issue and endorse statutory certificates following successful completion of surveys, maintaining full traceability of findings.
• Liaise with classification societies, ship owners, and operators on survey outcomes and corrective actions.
• Maintain and update vessel survey records within DSEC’s digital certification system, supporting the department’s
transition to paperless operations.
IMO Consultant
Represent Jamaica in MSC committee
• Advised on the implementation and interpretation of IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC 2006) for flag State administrations and industry stakeholders.
• Supported the development and review of national maritime legislation to align with IMO instrument requirements.
• Contributed to preparation for IMO committee and sub-committee sessions on behalf of the administration.
• Delivered training and technical guidance to surveyors and administration staff on emerging regulatory changes.
Marine Investigator
Maritime authority of Jamaica since 2019
• Led investigations into marine casualties and incidents in accordance with the IMO Casualty Investigation Code.
• Gathered evidence, interviewed witnesses, and analyzed contributing factors to determine root cause.
• Prepared formal investigation reports with findings and safety recommendations for submission to the flag State administration.
• Coordinated with other flag States, classification societies, and law enforcement on cross-jurisdictional cases.

Port State Control Senior Surveyor
Caribbean of Memorandum understanding (PSC)
• Conducted Port State Control inspections of foreign-flagged vessels calling at Jamaican ports under the Caribbean MOU framework.
• Identified deficiencies against SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC 2006, and ISM/ISPS Code requirements; issued detention orders where warranted.
• Verified certificates, crew qualifications, and vessel condition against international convention standards.
• Mentored junior PSC officers and contributed to inspection quality assurance reviews.
ISM–ISPS–MLC 2006 Lead Auditor
Maritime Authority of Jamaica Since 2012
• Planned and led audits of ship and company Safety Management Systems (ISM Code), Ship Security Plans (ISPS Code), and labour compliance (MLC 2006).
• Issued Documents of Compliance, Safety Management Certificates, and Maritime Labour Certificates following successful audits.
• Identified non-conformities and verified corrective action closure within required timeframes.
• Maintained auditor competence in line with IMO Model Course requirements and recognized organization standards.

CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Master Mariner (Captain) License — held since 1998
• ISM / ISPS Code Lead Auditor Certification
• IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) Professional Training Course (IMO)
• MLC 2006 Lead Auditor Certification
• Port State Control Officer Certification (Caribbean MOU / Paris MOU aligned)
• IMO Model Course — Marine Casualty Investigation
• STCW Certification Master License

EDUCATION
• Doctoral Candidate, Maritime Conventions — ACACIA University (Luisiana)
• Qualifi Level 8 diploma in strategic Management and Leadership – Qualifi (London)
• Diploma in Marine Arbitration — Egyptian University of Laws

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Languages: English / Arabic * Captain Hamada Fouda
– Senior Maritime Surveyor & Compliance Auditor, Maritime Authority of Jamaica.

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