Speaker of the National Assembly;
Clerk of the National Assembly;
Honourable Members of the National Assembly;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Members of the Media;
Fellow Guyanese
The Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana provides, at Article 67(2) the following:
The President may send messages to the National Assembly and any such message shall be read, at the first convenient sitting of the Assembly after it is received, by the Prime Minister or by any other Minister designated by the President.
I hereby avail myself of the prerogative conferred upon me by Article 67(2) of the Constitution to send this message to the National Assembly, concerning the tragic loss of lives arising from the sinking of the Motor Vessel Barima, a tragedy that has brought profound grief to our nation.
On the night of Saturday, 18th July 2026, the Motor Vessel Barima, having earlier departed Georgetown on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, is believed to have capsized at sea at a point located at 7 degrees, 28 minutes and 12.8 seconds north latitude and 58 degrees, 23 minutes and 26.6 seconds west longitude
By every account presently available, the vessel went under very quickly, leaving little time for crew and passengers to adopt life-saving measures.
Within moments, countless lives were thrown into the murky waters of the sea. A tragedy of unimaginable proportions ensued. Our nation today bleeds from the calamitous loss of many of its sons and daughters.
No words can truly capture the depth of grief that has descended upon our country. This tragedy has shaken our Republic to its very foundations. It has left an ache in every community, in every home, and in every heart. It is a wound that we will carry together, and one that history will forever record among the greatest sorrows of our nation.
Upon receiving word of the disaster, the Government immediately launched the largest search, rescue and recovery operation in Guyana’s maritime history. Aircraft took to the skies. Boats from every available agency and from private citizens hurried to the scene. Rescue teams worked relentlessly through darkness, rough seas and adverse conditions. That operation has continued without interruption until this very moment. It continues.
Through the extraordinary efforts of hundreds of brave men and women, seventy-six (76) persons have been rescued, while seventy-three (73) bodies have thus far been recovered. Tragically, some passengers remain unaccounted for.
Simultaneously, extensive arrangements were established for the identification of survivors and those who perished, while shelter, medical care, transportation and every possible form of assistance were mobilized to comfort anxious families and support those who survived this terrible ordeal.
The rescue, relief and humanitarian response became a national undertaking. It represented Guyana at its finest. It brought together the expertise, commitment and compassion of Government agencies, disciplined services, regional authorities, volunteers, civil society, faith-based organizations, private businesses and ordinary citizens united in a herculean effort to save lives and comfort and support those affected.
Despite these remarkable and selfless efforts, the magnitude of the tragedy has left countless families bearing an immeasurable burden of grief. Today, our hearts are especially with them.
I once again extend our deepest condolences to every family and every individual that has suffered unimaginable losses. We mourn with you. We grieve beside you. Your pain has become the nation’s pain.
To those who survived this horrific ordeal, we know that survival itself carries its own burden. The memories of that dreadful night may remain with you for years to come. You are not alone. Your country stands beside you.
To the families still waiting for news of loved ones, we understand the anguish of every passing hour. We know that uncertainty is among the greatest of human torments. I give this Parliament and the nation my solemn assurance that we shall not rest until every possible effort has been exhausted to account for every passenger who was aboard that vessel.
This tragedy has also revealed the extraordinary character of the Guyanese people. I wish to express the profound gratitude of a grateful nation to every individual and organization that answered the call to serve.
Our appreciation extends to the officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard; the Guyana Police Force; our doctors, nurses and emergency medical personnel; members of the Guyana Fire Service; every Cabinet Minister and the dedicated staff of their respective ministries; regional administrations; local government bodies; members of this Honourable Parliament; private sector organizations that supplied vessels, equipment, fuel, food, accommodation and logistical assistance; members of the religious community who provided spiritual comfort; volunteers especially our fisher folk who were among our first responders who selflessly went out in the dead of night and in perilous waters; and the countless citizens whose acts of kindness and compassion reflected the very best of us coming together. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana is deeply indebted to them.
We are equally grateful to our international partners whose solidarity has strengthened us during this painful period. I wish to record our sincere appreciation to the armed forces of French Guiana, to the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for the personnel and specialized equipment they dispatched; and to the Federative Republic of Brazil for the invaluable support provided to the recovery effort. We are likewise thankful for the many expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance extended by our sister CARICOM nations and friends across the international community. Your solidarity has reminded us that even in our darkest hours, Guyana does not stand alone.
To the people of Guyana, I offer my heartfelt thanks. Across our country, candles have been lit. Churches, mandirs and mosques have echoed with prayers. Communities have gathered in silent reflection. Children have written messages of hope. Families have embraced strangers as though they were relatives. These acts remind us that although tragedy can wound a nation, compassion has the power to heal it.
The outpouring of love and solidarity from across Guyana has provided a source of strength in the midst of our sorrow. But beyond the immediate response and the comforting words offered in this moment of grief, there remains a continuing duty to stand with those who have suffered and to support them in the difficult days ahead.
The Government remains fully committed to providing sustained material, financial, psychological and emotional support to the families of those who perished and to those who survived. Our responsibility to these families does not end with the recovery operation. It will continue for as long as necessary. We shall walk with them through their grief, assist them in rebuilding their lives and ensure that they never face this burden alone.
This is why, as part of the Government’s response to this tragedy, I have announced the HEART Initiative, a programme of material, moral and emotional support for survivors and the families of those who lost loved ones. Through this initiative, the survivors and families of the victims will receive humanitarian assistance, including psychosocial support, trauma counselling, social services, spiritual guidance and other interventions aimed at helping those affected begin the difficult journey toward healing and recovery.
Separately, I have invited the distinguished Caribbean jurist and former Attorney General and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Belize, Mr. Eamon Harrison Courtenay, to assist in developing the modalities for financial assistance to the survivors and the bereaved families. I wish to emphasize that this assistance in no way should be viewed as compensation
Honourable Members,
Our immediate priority throughout the past week has rightly been the search, rescue and recovery mission. But as that work continues, another solemn responsibility now confronts us.
The people of Guyana deserve answers. Families deserve answers. History demands answers.
I therefore assure this Honourable House and the nation that the Government will leave no stone unturned in determining the full circumstances that gave rise to this catastrophe. This will be done not only to answer the many questions weighing heavily on the minds and hearts of our people, but also to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.
Accordingly, I have already announced the establishment of an independent Commission of Inquiry, comprising persons of international standing, unquestioned integrity and recognized and respected expertise in maritime safety, accident investigation and disaster management.
The members of the Commission are:
- Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize – CARICOM High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and an Ad Hoc Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, who will serve as Chair of the Commission of Inquiry.
- Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland – Naval architect and marine engineer who has advised on investigations into several major maritime disasters.
- Captain Hamada Fouda – Senior Maritime Surveyor and Compliance Auditor with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.
- Ms. Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago – Attorney-at-Law with expertise in Admiralty and Maritime Law.
- Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchardof Trinidad and Tobago – A distinguished professional with decades of experience in maritime operations, and maritime security.
The Commission will be granted a broad and warranted mandate to establish the facts, examine every relevant circumstance, identify any shortcomings or failures, recommend appropriate accountability where warranted, and propose reforms that will strengthen the safety of our maritime transportation system.
The remit of the Commission includes:
- Establishing the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including the causes and all other factors relating to the loading of the vessel, the boarding of passengers, conditions on board, the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima, and any other related matters.
- Reviewing comprehensively all aspects of the search, rescue and recovery operations, including the adequacy, coordination and effectiveness of the response by all agencies and stakeholders involved.
- Evaluating the extent to which applicable laws, regulations, standards and operating procedures governing ferries were complied with.
- Determining whether any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty or other failures by any individual, entity or institution contributed to or caused the disaster.
- Inspecting the condition and maintenance history of the vessel, including its seaworthiness.
- Analyzing the influence of weather, sea conditions, tides, currents, navigation, communications and other environmental or operational factors that may have contributed to the incident.
- Appraising the competence, qualifications, training and conduct of the vessel’s master and crew, including compliance with established maritime safety and emergency procedures.
- Scrutinizing passenger management, including embarkation procedures, manifest preparation, the possible overcrowding of the vessel, the stowage of cargo, the availability and use of life-saving equipment, and adherence to passenger safety requirements.
- Recommending any legislative, regulatory, institutional and operational reforms, together with any other measures necessary to strengthen maritime safety, improve emergency preparedness and response, and reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies occurring in the future.
The truth must be established. The lessons must be learned. The reforms must be implemented. And where failures, negligence or wrongdoing are identified, accountability must follow.
That is the duty we owe to those whose lives were taken, to those who survived this terrifying ordeal, to the families who continue to mourn, and to the people of Guyana.
But as we seek answers, pursue accountability and work to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again, we must also recognize that there are wounds that only time, compassion and faith can help to heal. In moments such as these, our faith becomes an anchor.
It is my prayer that the Creator of the Universe will continue to surround every grieving family with His comforting presence, grant strength to those engaged in the ongoing recovery efforts and provide healing to our wounded nation.
I urge every Guyanese to continue lifting our country in prayer. Pray for the bereaved. Pray for the survivors. Pray for those still missing. Pray for those who continue the difficult work of recovery. And pray for Guyana.
Finally, I appeal to every Member of this Honourable House, and indeed to every citizen, not to allow this tragedy to become a source of division among us. Let it instead become a moment that forges a stronger, more compassionate and united Guyana.
In responding to this tragedy, we must therefore look beyond the immediate pain and recognize the deeper test before us—not only of our institutions, but of our collective spirit as a people.
Disasters test the strength of nations. They reveal not merely what we possess, but who we are. The greatness of a nation is measured not only by its prosperity, but by how it responds when confronted by overwhelming sorrow.
In the face of this heart-wrenching tragedy, our response must be greater unity, not greater division. The pain we share today transcends our differences. At a time when so many families are carrying an unbearable burden of grief, the greatest tribute we can offer to those we have lost is to stand together in unity, in concern and in compassion.
Let this tragedy not become a moment that pulls us apart, but rather one that brings us closer; not an instrument for recrimination, but one remembered for the strength of our solidarity, the depth of our humanity and our resolve to support one another through sorrow and beyond. In our darkest hour, unity must be our refuge, our strength and our pathway towards healing.
Today, Guyana grieves. Tomorrow, Guyana will heal. And together, united in faith, compassion and resolve, Guyana will rise.
May Almighty God bless the souls of those who have departed from us. May He comfort those who mourn. May He protect those who continue the search.
And may He forever bless our beloved Republic of Guyana.