Guyana Ferry Disaster: Search Intensifies After MV Barima Capsizes with 133 On Board

Rescue teams are racing to find dozens of missing passengers after the MV Barima capsized off Guyana’s northwest coast. Authorities have expanded search operations while supporting affected families and investigating what caused one of the country’s worst maritime disasters in recent years.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Rescue teams continued searching through Sunday for dozens of passengers still missing after the MV Barima capsized off Guyana’s northwest coast, as authorities expanded one of the country’s largest maritime rescue operations in recent years.

Officials said 67 people, including 15 children, had been rescued after the ferry overturned while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma with 116 passengers and 17 crew members on board. The remaining passengers were still being searched for as government agencies, private vessels and local fishing boats joined the operation.

The vessel issued a distress call late Saturday after overturning near Iron Punt, prompting an overnight emergency response involving the Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard, private operators and residents from nearby coastal communities. Search crews significantly expanded the operation on Sunday, with additional vessels deployed to widen the search area.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said the government remained focused on accounting for everyone who had been aboard the ferry and confirmed that assistance centres had been established for survivors and relatives awaiting news of missing family members. Authorities said the names of passengers would be released once rescue efforts and medical assessments had been completed.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the vessel had been licensed to carry more than 300 passengers and was operating well below its certified capacity. The ferry was equipped with approximately 250 life jackets, two rigid lifeboats and six inflatable life rafts, according to the ministry.

Initial indications suggest the vessel overturned after encountering rough sea conditions and a powerful wave, although officials cautioned that the exact cause has yet to be determined. Investigators have begun examining the circumstances surrounding the accident, and authorities said all findings would be subject to the formal inquiry now under way.

Government ministers travelled to affected communities in the Barima-Waini region to meet relatives of passengers and provide updates on the rescue effort. Officials established family assistance centres at Port Kaituma Community Centre and the NAREI Extension Centre in Kumaka, where counsellors and social workers have been deployed to provide psychological support and practical assistance.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy urged the public to rely on verified official information as rescue operations continued.

“This is why we govern, for people. We are here to support at every level,” McCoy said during a government update.

Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud said trained social workers would remain with affected families throughout the emergency response to provide counselling and support. Other ministers, including Education Minister Sonia Parag, Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond and Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues, also visited communities affected by the disaster.

The Prime Minister said the captain had returned to assist rescue efforts after surviving the incident, while emergency crews continued searching for passengers who remained unaccounted for. Authorities have also begun reviewing passenger records as part of efforts to establish an accurate manifest of everyone aboard.

Survivors described chaotic scenes as the vessel overturned during the night. Some reported spending several hours in the water before being rescued by emergency responders and nearby fishing boats, highlighting both the scale of the operation and the challenges rescuers faced in darkness and difficult sea conditions.

The MV Barima, built in 1939 and measuring about 40 metres (131 feet) in length, serves communities along Guyana’s sparsely populated northwest coast, where river and sea transport provide essential links between remote settlements and the capital. The Georgetown–Port Kaituma route is a vital transport corridor for residents travelling for work, education, healthcare and commerce.

Port Kaituma lies in Guyana’s Barima-Waini Region near the country’s border with Venezuela. Much of the area is accessible only by river, sea or air, making ferries an essential part of daily life for many communities.

Authorities stressed that the search would continue until every passenger had been accounted for.

Maritime emergency brief

What We Know So Far

The figures below reflect the publicly reported position at the time of publication and may change as the search, rescue and verification process continues.

Reported facts about the MV Barima maritime incident

Item	Status
Vessel	MV Barima
Route	Georgetown to Port Kaituma
Total aboard	133
Passengers	116
Crew	17
Confirmed rescued	67
Children rescued	15
Search operation	Ongoing
Family assistance centres	Open
Investigation	Under way

Public-safety significance

Why This Matters

The disaster has highlighted the importance of maritime safety in countries where ferries remain essential transport links for remote communities.

Accurate passenger manifests, regular vessel inspections, effective emergency communications and coordinated rescue capabilities are central to reducing fatalities when maritime accidents occur.

For many developing coastal nations, including several in Africa and the Caribbean, ferry services are not optional public conveniences. They are lifelines connecting isolated communities to employment, healthcare, education, food supplies and government services.

The incident therefore underscores the need for sustained investment in maritime regulation, rescue equipment, crew training and emergency response infrastructure.

Safety priorities

What Effective Maritime Safety Requires

01

Reliable Passenger Manifests

Authorities need accurate records of passengers and crew to guide rescue operations and inform families.

02

Vessel Inspections

Regular checks should assess structural condition, engines, navigation systems, safety equipment and passenger capacity.

03

Emergency Preparedness

Crews require practical training in evacuation, distress communication, first aid and passenger management.

04

Coordinated Rescue Capacity

Effective response depends on boats, aircraft, communications systems, trained personnel and clear inter-agency command.

Next steps

What Happens Next?

1. 01
   Continue search and rescue operations

   Teams are expected to keep searching until authorities formally conclude the operation.

2. 02
   Verify the passenger manifest

   Officials will need to reconcile booking records, crew lists and family reports.

3. 03
   Support survivors and relatives

   Family assistance centres may help with information, welfare, identification and emergency support.

4. 04
   Investigate the cause

   Investigators may examine vessel condition, loading, weather, navigation, crew decisions and compliance with safety rules.

5. 05
   Review wider ferry safety

   Findings may lead to new inspection, licensing, staffing or emergency-response requirements.

Quick brief

Key Takeaways

1. 01

   The MV Barima was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.

2. 02

   Authorities reported 133 people aboard, including 116 passengers and 17 crew members.

3. 03

   At least 67 people had been confirmed rescued, including 15 children.

4. 04

   Search and rescue operations remained ongoing at the time of publication.

5. 05

   Family assistance centres were opened as authorities continued verification and support work.

6. 06

   Investigators are expected to examine the vessel, operating conditions and compliance with maritime safety requirements.

Editorial transparency

Reporting Note

In a developing maritime emergency, confirmed rescue totals, the number missing and possible fatalities should be attributed clearly to the responsible authorities and updated whenever verified information changes.