Guyana Ferry Capsizes
Guyana Ferry Capsizes Carrying 116 Passengers; Search Underway After Eight Rescued Off Coast
Anonymous
Key Points
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Survivor tallies differed between reports: eight people were reported rescued by officials, but some outlets cited about 53 rescued, highlighting confusion in early reporting.
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The MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid lifecraft and six inflatable lifecraft on board.
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Dis distress call time and departure details vary in reports: distress call reported at 23:01 local time (03:01 BST) with some outlets earlier citing around 11:00–11:01 pm; the vessel is said to have departed Georgetown in the mid-to-late afternoon of Saturday.
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The vessel is a relatively old craft — about 40 meters long and built in 1939, according to the BBC report citing VesselFinder data.
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Rescuers benefited from additional support including aircraft and private vessels; and a Roraima Airways aircraft helped locate the ferry’s position and relay coordinates to responders, aiding the night-time search.
A Guyanese ferry carrying 116 people capsized off the country's Atlantic coast late Saturday night, sparking one of the largest maritime rescue operations in the country's recent history. The MV Barima went down near Iron Punt while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, sending passengers into dark ocean waters. Al Jazeera reported that more than 50 people have since been rescued.
The vessel issued a distress call at around 11:00 p.m. local time. Eight survivors were confirmed early on, but that number climbed to roughly 53 as the night-time search expanded, according to Yahoo News. Dozens remain missing. The cause of the capsize has not been confirmed.
An Aging Vessel on a Routine Night Crossing
The MV Barima departed Georgetown on Saturday afternoon. It was heading northwest toward Port Kaituma, a route along Guyana's coast. The ship was about 40 meters long and built in 1939, making it over 85 years old, according to BBC citing VesselFinder data. It was not a small boat — but it was old.
The ferry carried safety equipment. WIC News reported it had 250 life jackets, two rigid lifecraft, and six inflatable lifecraft on board. Whether passengers had time to access that equipment in the dark remains unclear.
Night Search Aided by Aircraft and Private Boats
Rescuers raced to the scene after the distress call. The Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard, and private vessels all joined the search. A Roraima Airways aircraft helped locate the ferry's position in the dark and relayed coordinates to responders on the water, according to WIC News.
A Transport and Harbours Department vessel arrived carrying medical teams. Additional ferries were sent to pick up survivors. Al Jazeera reported that marine and air units worked together through the night. Medical services were provided from a steamship on the scene.
Survivor Count Jumps as Rescue Operation Grows
Early official reports listed just eight people rescued. But as more vessels reached the site, that number rose sharply. Yahoo News and Al Jazeera both reported that more than 50 survivors had been pulled from the water. The gap between early and later figures reflects the fast-moving and chaotic nature of the overnight operation.
No fatalities have been officially confirmed as of early reporting. Eastern Herald noted that 63 people were listed as missing at one point. Search efforts were still under way, with rescuers hoping to find more survivors.
Prime Minister Phillips Coordinates Government Response
Prime Minister Mark Phillips stepped in to lead the government's response. Multiple ministries began issuing updates through the night. WIC News described it as one of Guyana's largest maritime emergencies in recent years.
The cause of the capsize has not been determined. Authorities have not ruled anything out. Investigations are expected to begin once the immediate rescue operation is complete. The focus right now, officials said, remains on finding survivors.
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