Systems in place for all vessels to be inspected before departure – Edghill – INews Guyana

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has confirmed that systems are in place for all vessels to be inspected before departure from the ports across the country.

He made this disclosure during a press conference on Tuesday night, emphasising that “there’s a system where these vessels are inspected before departure”.

Asked whether such inspection was conducted on the MV Barima before its ill-fated departure on Saturday, the Public Works Minister noted that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy will uncover what transpired.

At the press conference, Prime Minister Mark Phillips acknowledged that “obviously, there was some breakdown in the system”.

“We want the inquiry to go and investigate the extent of those breakdowns in the system and of course, they will recommend to us, not only disciplinary measures but areas where we can tighten and improve on the existing systems,” he added.

Meanwhile, as the captain and his crew member remain in police custody following the MV Barima tragedy, Minister Edghill has also confirmed that disciplinary action has been taken in the past against other seafarers found guilty of misconduct.

“I can tell you, sir, that captain and members of his crew have been disciplined for infractions of various kinds of all of the vessels, whether its for alcohol, drugs, misconduct, carrying family members on unauthorisedly, transporting illegal substances on behalf of people, storing passengers or cargo without proper freight, all of that,” he noted.

PM Phillips noted that the duo remains in police custody and counselling has been offered to them. No other arrests were made.

In addition to the drug use, preliminary investigations found that there were discrepancies with the passengers manifest. Initially, it was reported that there were 116 passengers along with 17 crew members on board the vessel, but that figure was on Sunday night ruled as not precise by authorities, who noted that the manifest was inaccurate. It is now estimated that the MV Barima had 179 occupants when it went down.

Already, a probe has been launched, examining all of the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragedy, including the accuracy of the passenger manifest, the loading of passengers and cargo, compliance with maritime safety regulations and the conduct of the captain and crew before and during the voyage.

 

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