Ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew capsizes off Guyana coast

A major search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Guyana following the capsizing of a government-operated passenger ferry. The vessel, identified as the MV Barima, encountered critical difficulties late Saturday night while navigating a North Atlantic route from the capital, Georgetown, toward the inland destination of Port Kaituma.

Authorities confirmed the vessel capsized in the vicinity of the Pomeroon River, specifically near a location identified as Iron Punt. Reports regarding the total number of individuals aboard the vessel have varied between official accounts. Some sources indicated the manifest included 116 passengers alongside 17 crew members, while other government figures cited a total of 133 people on board. By Sunday, officials verified that 67 survivors had been recovered from the water, including 41 men, 11 women, and 15 children.

Media additions

The sequence of events began shortly after the vessel departed Georgetown at 3:15 p.m. On Saturday. A distress call was transmitted at 11:01 p.m. That evening, which triggered an immediate response from both state assets and private vessels. By Sunday afternoon, the search area had been significantly expanded, with helicopters, aircraft, and various watercraft scanning a zone covering 1,000 square miles. The captain of the vessel was among those rescued and has since returned to the site to assist search teams.

The MV Barima is a 40m long vessel built in 1939 that provides a primary transport link for communities in the Essequibo region. This territory remains the subject of a long-standing territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. While initial concerns were raised regarding whether the vessel was overloaded, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is overseeing the national response, stated that the ferry was within its operational weight capacity. The Prime Minister noted that the vessel holds a license to carry more than 300 passengers. Minister Edghill further stated the vessel was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts and six inflatable life rafts. Regarding the cause of the incident, the minister cited information provided by survivors to suggest the capsize was due to tidal conditions.

Government officials have established emergency assistance centres to provide information and support to the families of survivors and those still missing. As of Sunday, authorities confirmed that the search operation would continue until all recovery efforts are exhausted. Officials have stated that the names of those on board will be released once medical checks and rescue operations conclude.

The ferry typically operates weekly trips along the North Atlantic coast to serve inland communities, navigating sea routes before heading upriver to reach Port Kaituma. As the search moves into the coming days, the government continues to focus its resources on locating the dozens of people who remain unaccounted for.

Commenting on the ongoing efforts, Minister Edghill expressed the government's perspective on the recovery mission:

"We're hopeful we'll be able to account for all that were on board."

Juan Edghill, Public Works Minister, via BBC

As the investigation into the cause continues, the focus remains on the 1,000-square-mile search zone off the coast. Authorities have not yet confirmed the status of the missing individuals or if there are any fatalities, maintaining that the search will persist while there is a possibility of survival.