Ferry – Guyana Launches Large-Scale Search After Passenger Vessel Capsizes Offshore
Ferry –A major search and rescue operation is underway in Guyana after a government-operated passenger ferry overturned off the country’s northern coast late Saturday, leaving dozens of people unaccounted for. Officials said the MV Barima was carrying 133 passengers and crew members when the accident occurred. By Sunday, rescue teams had safely recovered 67 people, while efforts continued to locate those still missing across a wide stretch of coastal waters.
Rescue Teams Expand Search Across Coastal Waters
The MV Barima had departed from Georgetown at around 3 p.m. on Saturday and was heading toward Port Kaituma, a remote community in the northwest of the country. According to Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is overseeing the government’s emergency response, helicopters, aircraft, coast guard units and local fishing boats have been deployed to search an area covering nearly 1,000 square miles.
Authorities confirmed that those rescued so far include 41 men, 11 women and 15 children. Officials have not yet released information on the condition of the missing passengers or whether fatalities are feared, saying the priority remains locating everyone who may still be in the water.
Distress Call Triggered Emergency Response
Government officials said the ferry encountered difficulties shortly before midnight. A distress signal was received at 11:01 p.m., immediately activating an extensive rescue mission involving both government agencies and privately operated vessels.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said emergency responders reached the area as quickly as possible after the alert was received. Search operations have continued without interruption, with crews working through challenging marine conditions in hopes of finding additional survivors.
Vessel Served Remote Coastal Communities
The MV Barima operates regular passenger services between Georgetown and Port Kaituma, providing an important transportation link for residents living in Guyana’s remote northwestern region. The ferry is widely used by communities near the Venezuelan border, including many Indigenous settlements that rely on the route for travel and essential supplies.
Authorities said the vessel overturned near the mouth of the Pomeroon River, an area where changing tides and coastal conditions can affect navigation. The exact sequence of events leading to the accident remains under investigation.
Safety Equipment Was Reportedly Onboard
Responding to speculation surrounding the incident, Minister Edghill stated that the ferry was carrying the required safety equipment. According to the government, the vessel had approximately 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts and six inflatable life rafts available onboard at the time of the accident.
The minister also rejected suggestions that the ferry had been overloaded with either passengers or cargo. Based on initial accounts provided by survivors, he said the incident appeared to have been linked to tidal conditions rather than excessive weight.
Officials have indicated that investigators will examine all available evidence, including witness statements, weather conditions and operational records, before reaching any conclusions about the cause of the capsizing.
Investigation Continues as Families Await Updates
Government agencies have urged the public to rely on official updates as rescue operations continue. Emergency teams remain focused on locating the remaining passengers while investigators begin gathering information to determine exactly what led to the ferry accident.
The incident has drawn nationwide attention in Guyana, where the MV Barima plays a vital role in connecting distant communities that have limited transportation alternatives. Authorities have pledged to continue search efforts until every possible area has been covered and to provide further updates as more information becomes available.